Non-geological forces or entities other than humans have formed these caverns.

In an intriguing discovery, a team of researchers led by Professor Heinrich Frank, a geology expert, unearthed a network of tunnels in the Rio Grande do Sul area of Brazil. These tunnels, stretching up to 609 meters (2,000 feet) in length and 1.8 meters (6 feet) in height, were likely carved out by teams of extinct giant sloths.

The discovery was made at a construction site, where the professor stumbled upon the first tunnel. Upon closer inspection, he noticed giant claw marks on the ceiling, a clear indication of the immense size of the creatures that created these tunnels. Giant sloths, extinct relatives of modern sloths, were around the size of African elephants and would have been formidable prey due to their strong arms and sharp claws.

Professor Frank believes that these tunnels were created during the Late Pleistocene epoch, which spans from about 126,000 to 11,700 years ago. This suggests that humans and giant sloths may have coexisted and had close-quarter interactions that were likely not playful but stalking or hunting.

This theory is supported by a 2018 study that analyzed fossilized footprints of sloths and humans, indicating that humans may have hunted giant sloths. Furthermore, the study Frank led found evidence of humans actively stalking and/or harassing sloths, if not hunting them.

The discovery of these tunnels adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that giant sloths and humans had a more complex relationship than previously thought. The tunnels, likely carved out by teams of sloths over several generations, provide a fascinating glimpse into the past and the interactions between these two species.

This groundbreaking discovery was originally published in April 2023, shedding new light on our understanding of the interactions between humans and extinct megafauna in South America. As research continues, we may uncover even more secrets about these fascinating creatures and the world they inhabited.