Ancient site · Settlement
Monte Verde
Also known as Monte Verde II
A campsite beside a creek in southern Chile, sealed under peat that preserved wood, rope, animal skin, seaweed, nuts and the bones of an extinct elephant relative. Dated by its excavators to about 14,500 years ago, it became the best-known evidence that people reached South America before the Clovis hunters of North America, overturning the old 'Clovis first' idea.
An older layer claimed at about 18,500 years has never been widely accepted, and in 2026 a new study questioned the main date as well.
- Dates
- c. 12,500 BCE (about 14,500 years ago) — date now challenged
- Still standing
- No, or only traces
- Location
- 41.51° S, 73.20° W
How we know
Most archaeologists accepted the 14,500-year-old date for decades, but a 2026 study argued the camp is under 8,200 years old, and the original team disputes that.
Nearby sites
- Cueva de las Manos c. 7300 BCE – 700 CE
- Tiwanaku (early city) founded c. 100 CE (dates debated); peak c. 500–1000; abandoned c. 1050 CE
- Cahuachi c. 1–500 CE
- Nazca Lines c. 500 BCE – 500 CE
- Paracas cemeteries (Cerro Colorado) c. 800–100 BCE
- Caral (Sacred City of Caral-Supe) c. 2600–2000 BCE