Researchers have uncovered the most crucial evidence yet of the first migration of man to North America, where stone tools and mastodon tusks were discovered in the Aucilla River in Florida, making them the oldest artifacts from human beings originating from the Southeast.

A team from the Florida State University and University of Michigan led by anthropology professor, Jessi Halligan, have determined these remnants as conclusive evidence that modern man was already present in Florida some 14,500 years ago.

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Scientists found a knife with remarkable sharp edges on both of its sides suggesting that these were used to sever and detach the tusks from the mastodon's skull. The excavation site where these artifacts were uncovered was near a depressed area of a river known as the Page-Ladson site, where the tusk and tools were buried deep underwater at 30 feet.

American anthropologists and archaeologists will now have to re-evaluate the timeline of the migration of ancient humans to the Americas, as this discovery can push this human timeline back to at least 1,000 years. However, the site's discoveries were initially disregarded but after dating the artifacts, this new discovery can now be considered as proof that these are the first human settlers in Florida, before the Clovis culture arrived from Indiana. 

Researchers believe that these newly discovered group of people most likely migrated from the western regions of North America, however, there are still no fossilized remains or skeletal remnants found on the site to determine the identity of these important ancestors. Another theory involves the migration of these ancient humans from Mexico, since the Gulf of Mexico was not yet as massive as it is today. 

This new study is published in the journal, Science Advances.

TagsNorth America, America, Clovis, first humans in north america, ancient humans, mastodon tusk, Florida