When you think of humans conquering extreme environments, what comes to mind?
Perhaps early explorers braving icy tundras or astronauts enduring the vacuum of space.
But what about ancient humans surviving at staggering altitudes, where the air is thin, the temperature plummets, and food is scarce?
In a groundbreaking discovery that challenges previous assumptions, archaeologists have uncovered evidence that humans were living in the Peruvian Andes a full 2,000 years earlier than anyone thought possible.
Their remarkable findings reveal that early South Americans not only survived, but thrived, in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
This discovery is changing the way we understand human adaptability, survival, and migration.
A Game-Changer in Archaeology
At an altitude of 4,480 meters (about 14,700 feet) above sea level, the ancient rock shelter of Cuncaicha has revealed a treasure trove of artifacts.
These include stone tools, remnants of starchy plants, and animal bones from species like the taruka deer, vicuña, and guanaco—ancestors of the modern alpaca and llama.
The tools, designed for hunting as well as for crafting clothing, bags, and blankets, provide evidence that these early settlers didn’t just use the high-altitude caves as hunting grounds—they lived there, enduring the challenging conditions of one of the harshest environments on the planet.
To put it into perspective, South American ecosystems didn’t even support tree growth above 4,000 meters until 10,000 to 11,500 years ago.
The extreme cold, high solar radiation, and low oxygen levels made the Andes an inhospitable place for any human population.
Most scientists believed that no humans could have settled in such a harsh environment until well after 10,000 years ago.
Yet here we are, with evidence that Paleoindians lived at high altitudes over 12,800 years ago, pushing back the timeline for human habitation in these extreme regions by over a millennium.
This discovery, published in Science in October 2024, is not just a significant archaeological breakthrough—it’s a testament to the resilience of early humans and their ability to adapt to and overcome the harshest of conditions.
The Surprising Truth: Early Humans Were More Resilient Than We Thought
The idea that early humans couldn’t survive in high-altitude environments isn’t entirely wrong—but it’s based on a common misunderstanding.
For years, archaeologists assumed that the harsh conditions of the Andes were simply too extreme for early populations to survive.
The difficulty of sourcing food and firewood at such altitudes made it seem impossible.
But these new findings challenge that assumption head-on.
Evidence suggests that early humans didn’t just adapt to the environment—they were able to thrive at high altitudes with advanced survival strategies.
These findings raise a few intriguing questions: How were these ancient people able to survive without the modern physiological adaptations we see in high-altitude populations today?
Did they already possess these adaptations, or were they simply capable of surviving despite the odds?
The new research sheds light on how these early settlers were able to sustain themselves at altitudes where oxygen is sparse, temperatures are extreme, and food is not readily available.
The tools and remnants found in the Peruvian Andes suggest that these early settlers were highly resourceful, using their knowledge of the environment to create functional tools, shelter, and clothing that could withstand the harsh conditions.
In short, early South Americans weren’t just “surviving” in the high Andes—they were thriving.
An Unlikely Place for Early Humans
The remote Pucuncho Basin in the Southern Peruvian Andes is a place few modern humans would venture.
With its freezing temperatures, snowstorms, and thin air, it’s easy to see why archaeologists had overlooked this region for so long.
The site is difficult to access, requiring long hikes through treacherous terrain, and many parts of the area are covered in snow for much of the year.
Yet this is where scientists discovered evidence of early human habitation.
Co-author and archaeologist Sonia Zarrillo from the University of Calgary described the immense challenge of accessing these sites.
“Our team hiked up to three or four hours to get to these sites.
That was a climb, carrying all of our gear, camp equipment, and food.
And it freezes every night. Sometimes it snows.
These are incredibly hard sites to access,” she explained.
Despite these challenges, the team’s efforts paid off.
The discovery of a stone-tool workshop at Pucuncho, situated 4,355 meters (14,300 feet) above sea level, further cements the idea that early humans inhabited high-altitude environments for extended periods of time.
This site adds weight to the argument that humans were not merely passing through these extreme environments—they were living and working there, crafting tools and processing food to survive.
How Did They Do It?
One of the most exciting aspects of this discovery is the question of human adaptation.
In modern populations living at high altitudes, such as Tibetans in the Himalayas, certain genetic traits have evolved to make life at these elevations possible.
These genetic adaptations include larger lung capacities, higher hemoglobin concentrations, and more efficient oxygen processing.
The question arises: did these early inhabitants of the Andes already possess these genetic advantages, or were they simply capable of surviving in the extreme conditions through innovation and resourcefulness?
Zarrillo emphasizes that while it’s unclear whether these ancient people had the same genetic adaptations as modern Andean populations, the evidence suggests that they were able to survive at high altitudes for extended periods, regardless of their genetic makeup.
“Was this adaptation present 12,400 years ago?
We don’t know for certain,” she said.
“What we’re demonstrating is that these people either already developed that adaptation, or it was possible for them to live in these altitudes for extended periods of time regardless.”
This is a crucial distinction.
The ability to survive at such high altitudes may not have been solely due to physiological adaptations; it may also have been the result of cultural and technological innovations that allowed these early humans to thrive.
From crafting stone tools for hunting and food preparation to creating clothing for protection against the elements, the Paleoindians who inhabited the high Andes were incredibly resourceful.
New Insights into Early South American Culture
The Cuncaicha and Pucuncho sites also provide new insights into early South American culture.
The presence of starchy plant remnants suggests that these early populations were not entirely dependent on animal resources but also relied on plant-based foods.
This is significant because it highlights the diverse and adaptive nature of early human diets.
In an environment where food resources were limited, these early inhabitants were able to harness the potential of both animal and plant life to sustain themselves.
Additionally, the tools found at the sites—designed for both hunting and fashioning hides into usable goods—suggest that the early settlers were not only focused on survival but also on creating a comfortable and functional lifestyle.
The ability to make clothing, blankets, and bags indicates a sophisticated understanding of materials and a desire to improve the quality of life in such an extreme environment.
These insights challenge the simplistic notion of early humans as mere survivalists, focusing only on food and shelter.
Instead, they paint a picture of complex societies capable of thriving in some of the world’s most difficult environments.
What These Discoveries Mean for the Future
The discoveries in the Peruvian Andes are more than just a fascinating historical puzzle—they’re reshaping our understanding of human history.
For decades, archaeologists believed that the high-altitude Andes were largely off-limits to early human populations.
This new evidence forces a rethinking of how humans first inhabited the Americas and how they adapted to diverse environments across the continent.
These findings could have broad implications for our understanding of migration patterns, human adaptability, and the development of ancient technologies.
It’s possible that early humans developed sophisticated survival strategies that allowed them to inhabit a wider range of environments than we previously thought possible.
These strategies could include innovative methods of food gathering, shelter construction, and clothing making—skills that may have been passed down through generations, allowing later populations to thrive at high altitudes.
As research continues in the Andes, scientists may uncover even more evidence that challenges our understanding of early human life.
Perhaps, in the near future, we’ll be able to answer questions about how ancient populations survived in such extreme environments—and how they shaped the history of South America.
A New Chapter in Human History
The discovery of early human habitation in the high Andes is a game-changer in the field of archaeology.
It’s a reminder that human adaptability and ingenuity are far greater than we often give them credit for.
These ancient settlers didn’t just survive in one of the world’s harshest environments—they thrived.
And their legacy may inspire us to reconsider our own assumptions about human potential, survival, and the ability to conquer even the most inhospitable landscapes.
By rewriting the narrative of human migration and adaptation, these findings open up new avenues of exploration and understanding.
They remind us that the story of human history is constantly evolving—and we’re only just beginning to scratch the surface.
