Archaeologists in Wyoming have discovered 13,000-year-old bone needles crafted by Paleoindians, suggesting that early North American inhabitants used these tools to stitch warm clothing, enabling them to migrate to colder climates. The study, published in PLOS ONE, identifies the animal bones used, including those from hares, rabbits, and big cats, highlighting a key cultural innovation that facilitated human dispersal across the Americas. This finding provides detailed evidence of early garment-making, although similar technology may have existed earlier in Siberia.
Forensic methods, specifically blood residue analysis, have provided evidence that Paleoindians hunted or scavenged megafauna such as mammoths and mastodons in eastern North America around 13,000 years ago. By analyzing ancient stone tools, researchers found unambiguous proof of contact with the blood of extinct animals, including mammoths, mastodons, and the North American horse. While this study does not definitively prove that humans were responsible for the extinctions, it suggests that early Paleoindians across the continent interacted with these animals, providing insights into their presence and potential hunting practices. Further research with larger sample sizes could shed more light on the timing and geographic variability of megafauna extinctions.
