Discovery of a Gomphothere Skeleton in Chile
In the O'Higgins region of Chile, near Tagua-Tagua, archaeologists uncovered the skeleton of a gomphothere dating back approximately 12,500 years. Notably, the remains exhibit potential signs of human involvement, including a fractured skull. Excavations took place from August 31 to September 14, 2026, led by Rafael Labarca, an archaeologist and professor at the School of Anthropology, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. This finding adds crucial evidence to the understanding of interactions between some of South America's earliest inhabitants and the Pleistocene megafauna.
Archaeological Work at Tagua-Tagua
The archaeological project at Tagua-Tagua began in 2023, focusing on excavations of one-by-one-meter pits. Fieldwork seasons in 2025 and 2026 uncovered a substantial collection of animal remains, stone tools, and traces of human activity. Among the discoveries were:
- Gomphothere bones
- Horse remains
- Charred bird bones
- Stone artifacts
Rafael Labarca commented,
'We have strong indications that the lake area was heavily inhabited toward the end of the Pleistocene, roughly between 12,600 and 11,600 years ago.'
Several gomphothere remains were found alongside archaeological evidence suggesting direct human interaction. Labarca also noted,
'Our findings reveal a clear association between abundant gomphothere bones, some horse remains, numerous burned bird bones, and stone tools.'
While radiocarbon dating is still pending for these recent finds, preliminary estimates place them between 12,600 and 12,400 years ago.
Gomphotheres were large herbivorous proboscideans related to modern elephants, reaching heights of up to 4 meters and weighing several tons. They roamed South America during the Pleistocene but became extinct near the end of the last Ice Age. Earlier research in 2019 by Chilean and US archaeologists suggested that a meteorite impact around 13,000 years ago triggered rapid climate shifts during the Late Dryas period, contributing to the extinction of megafauna, including gomphotheres.
The evidence points to intermittent human settlements along the lake shore in the late Pleistocene. The timeline of the research spans from the initial 2023 excavations through the more extensive field seasons of 2025-2026, which uncovered richer archaeological layers. The presence of gomphothere, horse, and charred bird remains alongside stone tools supports the idea of active human engagement with megafauna during this era.
This discovery is significant for shedding light on the evolution of human-environment relationships in prehistoric South America. The association of gomphothere bones with artifacts suggests that early humans may have hunted these massive creatures, reinforcing theories about human influence on Pleistocene ecosystems. Future studies promise to reveal more about the lifestyles of these ancient populations and their impact on the continent’s megafauna.
In addition to the gomphothere findings, recent discoveries in Chile have also shed light on the region's prehistoric climate and wildlife. For instance, the recent uncovering of an ancient capybara tooth suggests a much wetter environment in the Atacama Desert, challenging long-held beliefs about its aridity over the past 40 million years. These findings together provide a more comprehensive picture of early human interactions with megafauna in diverse ecosystems.