Arlington Springs Man

Arlington Springs Man refers to ancient human remains found on Santa Rosa Island in California’s northern Channel Islands. First discovered in 1959 by Phil C. Orr at Arlington Springs in Arlington Canyon, the bones were initially thought to be about 10,000 years old, but later radiocarbon testing placed them at roughly 13,000 years Before Present, making this the earliest dated adult known in North America. Because the remains were found on an island, they became important evidence in debates over coastal migration to the Americas by watercraft. After decades of study and debate, the remains were returned in 2022 to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians for reburial.

Isla Vista, California · United States