In the interior of Pernambuco, 150 kilometers from Recife, fossils of prehistoric animals can be found at the Carneirinho site, in the rural area of Caruaru, in the Agreste region of the state. After the drought in a reservoir, fragments of bones from mammals such as giant sloths, giant armadillos and even mastodons have been found. In the same place, cave paintings from 10 thousand years ago have also been found.
The discovery occurred when farmer José Carlos decided to clean the reservoir of stones that had dried up after a long period of drought in 2013. At the site, which is 40 kilometers from the center of Caruaru, he found structures that initially looked like common stones, but turned out to be large fossilized bones.
In an interview with TV Asa Branca, the farmer said that the first piece he found was the skull of a large animal. The first decision taken was to communicate the discovery to researchers at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE).
"I took it there (Federal University of Pernambuco). They took it. And then they continued taking things to preserve there. The complete head is big, it was huge. We took several pieces there", said José Carlos.
After the initial discovery, excavations were halted to prevent exposure to the weather from damaging the remaining pieces. With the return of rain in the following years, water returned to cover part of the bones in the natural reservoir.
Scientific explanation and the Pleistocene ecosystem
According to biologist Alexandre Nunes, these large mammals lived during the period known as the Pleistocene, a geological epoch that lasted from around 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, marking the last great Ice Age and the emergence of the human race.
"When the dinosaurs disappeared, 66 million years ago, this made room for the megafauna to emerge much later. Then, when the megafauna appeared, large animals, large mammals, they appeared in the era called Pleistocene. And in that period they dominated the planet. And then we found the toxodont, saber-toothed tiger, the giant sloth, the armadillo, animals that lived in this place", explains the biologist.
The expert points out that the region had abundant vegetation due to the connection between the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes.
"The interesting thing is that the Amazon was attached to the Atlantic Forest, that is, we had this corridor of vegetation. As they were large animals, they fed on this abundant vegetation, which later, with the Ice Age, this was reduced", adds Alexandre.
Eating stress and teeth marks
Still according to the remains found at the site, analyzes of the teeth indicate flaws and holes in the fossilized structures found at the Carneirinho site. The phenomenon is known as enamel hypoplasia, caused by the hunger that the beings felt.
Alexandre Nunes also explains the physical structure of the pieces examined, highlighting the internal porosity characteristic of bone tissues. "See, these are pieces, fragments of bones, but due to their thickness, their size, this one, for example, probably came from a sloth, right? And what draws attention to these bones is because, like human beings, they are compact on the outside and porous on the inside."
"This is probably the marrow, it's the bone that produces blood here. So, look, these are the bones of animals that once existed and are fragments. And look at their size, thickness, width, weight, right? This is an immeasurable value of these bones", says Alexandre.
Meeting point for prehistoric fauna
The natural rock reservoir at Sítio Carneirinho functioned as a watering hole for prehistoric animals thousands of years ago. The concentration of fossils at the site is explained by the behavior of the fauna and the action of predators. The animals gathered in the area to drink water, which generated territorial conflicts and attracted predators. The carcasses of those who died on the banks slid into the deeper parts of the rocky reservoir.
In addition to megafauna fossils, the site's rock formations house records of rock art. The paintings indicate human presence in the same region around 10,000 years ago.
The preservation and detailed study of these pieces are advocated by experts as a way to understand environmental evolution. Biologist Alexandre Nunes highlights that the creation of an exhibition space would bring benefits to the local community.
"It is extremely important for the University to carry out a study and for a museum to be created, because this serves education, it is to preserve the history of our region. And if it were here in the region, it would be even better, because it would attract tourism. This is good for the community, I mean, everyone wins. It is an important role for education and history, for understanding life on the planet", argues the biologist.
The coordinator of the Anthropology and Archeology Laboratory at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Sandro Guimarães de Sales, reinforces the scientific value of the finds for the academic environment and warns of the dangers of excavations without professional supervision.
"It is worth issuing a warning to people who, perhaps, find similar bones, to contact the Federal University of Pernambuco, because this material has scientific relevance... eh... incalculable. However, when there is an intervention at the site, this material tends to lose its importance, its scientific value. At least, its scientific value is diminished, minimized. So this is the appeal we are making", concludes the coordinator.
