Deep within the wind-swept Atacama desert in northern Chile, the remnants of a forgotten civilization rise from the sand. At first the ruins are barely visible, just small ridges that cast short shadows. But where the sand has been stripped away, circular clay structures can be clearly seen. These are the 3,000-year-old remains of Tulor, one of the oldest and best-preserved Neolithic villages in South America. But a natural climate change around 300 AD caused the river dried up and within a few hundred years, the village was abandoned. Once deserted, the sand moved in. It covered the village in dunes, protecting it for nearly three millenia until it was discovered and partially unearthed in 1958. But now, half a century later, the sand that once protected the village is destroying it. Harsh desert winds and occasional rain are threatening to reduce the site to nothing.
How old are we? Some archaeologist are digging into our past in between 40.000 to at least 15.000 years old. Are those limits realistic or we are not found our "Lucy in the Sky". In my humble opinion, is a matter of time and lucky.
More information at
http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Winds-ravage-Neolithic-village-in-Chile/2007/02/12/1171128860149.html
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