Ambiguity and Debates on the Early Peopling of South America

An evaluation of recent claims for early human settlement of South America is presented. Some of the problems with these cases are reviewed, particularly the ways in which ambiguity weakens otherwise compelling evidence of early human presence in the continent. The roles of generalized adaptations and cobble industries, the most common explanations of claims of early occupations, are examined, and some new sites that present incomplete evidence but are deserving of further research are mentioned. The incorporation of studies of formation processes in the future may prove helpful in evaluating most of these cases as well as others that emerge in the future.