Construction workers in Lauro Müller, Brazil, discovered prehistoric tunnels during a road-widening project earlier this year [1].

The discovery is significant because it suggests the presence of extinct megafauna in the region of Santa Catarina. If verified, the site could provide rare insight into the behavior and habitat of prehistoric animals in South America.

A local resident named Simone reported the tunnel, which was found during the infrastructure work [1]. According to reports from G1 Santa Catarina, the tunnels were excavated by giant armadillos and giant sloths [1]. The discovery was first reported March 22, 2026 [1].

While the local report attributes the tunnels to prehistoric creatures, the origin of the site remains a point of contention. A separate report from G1 Tocantins said that tunnels in a different context were excavated by prison inmates, highlighting a contradiction in how such structures are identified in the region [1].

The tunnels were uncovered as part of the effort to widen the local road system [1]. The report from Santa Catarina said that the scale and nature of the excavations point to a natural, prehistoric origin involving unusually large animals [1].

“The tunnels were excavated by giant armadillos and giant sloths.”

The discovery highlights a tension between sensationalist reporting and archaeological verification. While the claim of megafauna-created tunnels is provocative, the lack of corroborating scientific evidence and the presence of contradictory reports regarding tunnel origins suggest that the site's prehistoric nature is not yet confirmed.