Final answer:
The earliest dates of human occupation in the Americas are still debated among archaeologists. Some sites have unearthed portions dating back to 50,000-33,000 BCE, but these dates are controversial. Other evidence suggests human occupation in North America dating back 21,000-23,000 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
The earliest dates of human occupation in the Americas are still a topic of debate among archaeologists. Some sites, such as the Monte Verde site in Chile and the Topper site in South Carolina, have uncovered portions dating back to 50,000-33,000 BCE. However, these dates are controversial, with some archaeologists arguing that the stone tools attributed to these early dates are natural formations rather than man-made. Other evidence, such as human footprints found in White Sands National Park in New Mexico, suggest human occupation in North America dating back 21,000-23,000 years, making it the earliest estimated date yet for human presence in the Americas.