Additional Fieldwork and Reassessments Support Human Presence since the Last Glacial Maximum at Chiquihuite Cave, Mexico

Chiquihuite Cave became known for its silica-rich limestone artifacts from stratified deposits that indicated human occupations dating between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the Younger Dryas (YD). The claims were received with skepticism by some peers. This paper presents the results of further explorations performed at the site in 2019 that confirm the presence of artifacts at other locations in the cavern. We communicate the findings of detailed reassessments of the lithic and bone assemblages performed in 2020–2023. The analyses revealed use-wear and organic residues on tools and evidenced the qualities of recrystallized limestones as raw materials. A small number of modified bone fragments were also identified. We contribute new AMS and OSL dates, reaffirming the chronology of the site, with a human presence intermittently during the LGM and stronger after 17,000 calendar years before present (cal yr BP). Paleoenvironmental and geochemical data confirm a changing climate.