Toca da Tira Peia, Archaeological rock shelter in Coronel José Dias, Piauí, Brazil
Toca da Tira Peia is an archaeological site within a natural rock shelter near Coronel Jose Dias in Piaui state. The excavation revealed multiple soil layers containing stone tools and artifacts buried within the rock formation.
Archaeologists discovered stone tools at different depths showing that people occupied this region across a long span of time. The findings suggest human presence extended far earlier than previously understood for settlements in the Americas.
The findings here help explain how early people lived in South America and challenge what was previously believed about the continent's first inhabitants.
Access to the site can be difficult, especially after heavy rain, due to the natural terrain conditions. It is helpful to contact local guides before visiting to navigate the ground safely.
The artifacts remain in their original positions just as they were buried thousands of years ago. This undisturbed arrangement allows researchers to gather precise information about how items were actually placed.
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