Related findings indicate that offspring of horses brought by Spaniards to Mexico in 1519 reached Indigenous people in North America by the early 1600s, before those groups encountered Europeans (SN: 3/30/23).

Excavated horse remains at Chorrillo Grande 1 consisted of three partial leg bones and six teeth. DNA from these finds identified three domestic horses, one male adult and two female juveniles, the scientists say. Radiocarbon dating of horse specimens, food crusts on unearthed pottery pieces and other finds places people there starting between 1599 and 1653.

Fractures and burned patches on limb bones suggested that the two female horses were butchered for food. Europeans in Patagonia during the 1800s wrote about the consumption of mare’s meat and blood by local Tehuelche hunter-gatherers.

Horses quickly assumed many roles in Native American cultures, Taylor suspects. Other historical documents describe groups across southern South America herding horses, riding horses to hunt other animals, using horses in ceremonies and making items such as tents and stringed instruments out of horse products.