Huge underground tunnels uncovered in Brazil and Argentina are sparking global intrigue, with experts confirming they are neither man-made nor natural geological formations. Stretching hundreds of meters, these vast structures are unlike anything previously discovered, leaving scientists to question what force could have carved them. The latest studies point toward giant extinct creatures as the surprising architects of these paleoburrows.
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Discovery of Vast Burrows
In southern Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul region, over 1,500 massive tunnels have been identified, many extending more than 600 meters long and nearly two meters high. Geology professor Heinrich Frank was among the first to locate them, ruling out both human activity and natural erosion as their cause. He stressed that claw marks and unique tunnel patterns reveal another origin entirely.
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Extinct Creatures Suspected
Research published in Science Advances in 2018 suggests that giant ground sloths were the likely diggers. Their distinctive claw scratches, parallel layouts, and sheer tunnel size align with what these animals could achieve. “There’s no geological process in the world that produces long tunnels with a circular or elliptical cross-section, which branch and rise and fall, with claw marks on the walls,” Frank explained to Discover.
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Power of Giant Sloths
The Megatherium and related genera, massive herbivores from the Pleistocene epoch, were comparable in size to elephants. Armed with enormous claws and immense strength, they could dig vast shelters. Some tunnels appear to have been developed across generations, offering sloths long-term refuge. Researchers believe this behavior helped them adapt to predators, including early humans.
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Human-Sloth Encounters
Evidence of interaction was revealed in fossilized footprints, showing human tracks closely following sloth prints in what researchers describe as stalking or hunting patterns. “It is possible that the behaviour was playful, but human interactions with sloths are probably better interpreted in the context of stalking and/or hunting,” the study noted. With their powerful arms and lethal claws, sloths would have been formidable opponents, forcing them to seek protective shelters.
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Defense and Shelter Theories
Experts believe the tunnels served as strongholds against threats, particularly from humans. Researchers highlight that sloths’ lethal reach made them dangerous prey, but underground structures could have provided them protection. This perspective reshapes how scientists understand Ice Age survival strategies and the dynamic between humans and megafauna.
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Identifying Paleoburrows
Known as paleoburrows, these structures are often mistaken for mine shafts or natural caves. Identifying them requires geological mapping, fossil analysis, and biological inference. As more tunnels are uncovered across South America, they are offering fresh insights into ecosystems of the past and how ancient animals adapted to threats in their environment.
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Future Research Directions
Scientists emphasize the importance of studying these burrows to understand their ecological significance. Ongoing discoveries could redefine knowledge about Ice Age life, including how giant sloths interacted with humans and evolved survival strategies. As paleoburrows continue to be found, they may hold critical clues to the region’s prehistoric history.