Scientists analyzing triangular and teardrop-shaped pendants made of bony material from the sloths found that the carved and polished shapes, as well as the drilled holes, were the result of deliberate craftsmanship.

The pendants were found to be around 25,000-27,000 years old, which is several thousand years earlier than some earlier theories had suggested for the first arrival of humans in the Americas.

The discovery of the ornaments, which were found at a rock shelter in central Brazil around 30 years ago, is the first extensive analysis of their kind and provides evidence that the handiwork was done within days to a few years after the animals had died, before the materials had fossilized.

The researchers ruled out natural abrasion and other explanations for the shapes and holes.

The findings were published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal.

Giant ground sloths, which were 10-13ft in length and weighed over a thousand pounds, were once among the largest creatures in South America.

They were known to have walked on all four legs and used their sharp claws to dig burrows.

The bony plates in their skin were similar to those found in modern armadillos.

The discovery of human footprints near White Sands, New Mexico, dated back to 21,000-23,000 years ago, and other evidence from Mexico suggests human presence about 26,000 years ago.

The findings from Uruguay may even suggest human occupation as far back as 30,000 years ago.

The new research provides an important addition to the conversation on the early migration of humans to the Americas, but like all findings in this field, it may also draw pushback.

Scientists are now forced to rethink old assumptions that people arrived in the Americas only in one great wave of migration over the Bering land bridge.

Some may have died out, but it is likely that multiple waves of people came to the Americas.

In conclusion, the discovery of the giant sloth pendants provides