Taima-Taima
Taima-Taima is an archaeological site located about 20 kilometers east of Santa Ana de Coro, in the Falcón State of Venezuela.[1]
History of research
The site was investigated starting in 1964 by José Cruxent (1911-2005), Alan Bryan, Rodolfo Casamiquela, Ruth Gruhn, and Claudio Ochsenius.[2]
At Taima-Taima, José Cruxent discovered El Jobo projectile points, which are believed to be the earliest such artefacts in South America, going back to 14,000 BP. This was a major discovery in Paleoindian archaeology.[3]
The earliest human occupation goes back to 14,200-12,980 years ago. This indicates a pre-Clovis settlement of South America; the site is used as evidence for people arriving to South America earlier than previously believed.[4]
Cruxent discovered a mastodon pelvic bone that was pierced by a stone spearpoint. Geological and radiocarbon dating of the find both indicate the date of 13,000 BP (11,000 BC).[5][6]
See also
Notes
- ^ Parque Arqueológico y Paleontológico Taima-Taima (location)
- ^ «Taima-Taima», The concise Oxford dictionary of archaeology, New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
- ^ José R. Oliver, Implications of Taima-taima and the Peopling of Northern South America. bradshawfoundation.com
- ^ Juan Bosco Amores, «Tabla sintética de sitios arqueológicos, norte a sur», in Historia de América (animals hunted at the site)
- ^ Acerca de los hallazgos en el area de Taima-Taima y Urumaco (list of prehistoric animals at Taima-Taima).
- ^ Primer sitio de cacería de mastodontes (dating of finds)
Bibliography
- Oliver, J.R., Alexander, C.S. (2003). Ocupaciones humanas del Plesitoceno terminal en el Occidente de Venezuela. Maguare, 17 83-246
External links
- José R. Oliver, Implications of Taima-taima and the Peopling of Northern South America. bradshawfoundation.com