Imagine, if you will, a time long before hotels dotted the landscape. It was a time when glaciers dominated the scene. Here at Laguna El Trébol, history whispers from the ancient rocks.
Laguna El Trébol is more than just a scenic spot. It is a window into Argentina’s distant past. This small lake is part of the beautiful Circuito Chico. It lies not far from Llao Llao. The area includes Lago Escondido and Colonia Suiza.
Today Laguna El Trébol is a tranquil urban reserve. But over 10000 years ago, this place teemed with life both human and animal.
Scientists have found a treasure trove of fossils near Laguna El Trébol. These remains tell a story of ancient hunters. They reveal the animals that roamed this land.
Imagine a cave near Laguna El Trébol. For thousands of years, it sheltered hunter-gatherers. They left behind traces of their lives. There are remains of fires and tools. Bones of their prey litter the cave floor. These artifacts paint a vivid picture. They show us how they survived.
The cave itself is made of volcanic rock. These rocks are over 15 million years old. Glaciers shaped the landscape around Laguna El Trébol. The lake formed about 15000 years ago. It is a depression left by melting glaciers.
Among the fossils found here is a giant ground sloth. This Mylodon was much larger than today’s tree sloths. It measured about 3 meters long. It stood almost two meters tall.
Archaeologists found small bones embedded in the sloth’s thick skin. These bones bear marks from stone tools. Some show signs of burning. This suggests the early inhabitants cooked and ate the Mylodon.
Other fossils include a large deer. This deer was bigger than a huemul. There was also a primitive fox. This fox may have been Dusicyon avus. Smaller creatures lived here too. Vizcachitas, armadillos and tuco-tuco relatives scurried about.
Studies of fossil pollen from Laguna El Trébol reveal past vegetation. 10600 years ago, a different forest grew here. Nothofagus trees like the ñire and lenga thrived. Grasslands stretched across the landscape. This environment was ideal for guanacos and huemuls. It also suited the giant Mylodon.
The cave near Laguna El Trébol holds more recent sediments too. They record human activity from 5800 years ago to historical times. Evidence shows interaction with various animals. These include guanacos and foxes. There were also wildcats, vizcachitas and armadillos. Bird remains suggest swans and chimangos. People also brought fish and freshwater clams here. They came from Laguna El Trébol.
The area around Laguna El Trébol has been inhabited for over 13000 years. This makes it one of the oldest archaeological sites in the Argentine Andes.
Today, Laguna El Trébol is a protected urban reserve. It offers a glimpse into a deep and fascinating history. As you gaze at the tranquil waters, remember the ancient hunters. Think of the giant sloths that once roamed here. The story of Laguna El Trébol is etched in time.