The last ice age, a period of dramatic global cooling and glacial expansion, has long captivated scientists and historians. We’ve always assumed that early humans, having evolved in the warmth of Africa, would have sought refuge in the milder climates of southern Europe during this frigid epoch. However, a groundbreaking new study flips this conventional wisdom on its head, revealing a remarkable adaptation story that paints humans as surprisingly resilient to the harsh conditions of the last ice age.
Led by Oxala García-Rodríguez at Bournemouth University, this study took an innovative approach by examining the genetic history of 23 common European mammals, including humans, rodents, insectivores, ungulates, and carnivores. The researchers were particularly interested in areas of high genetic diversity, as these ‘refugia’ are thought to represent locations where species retreated to survive during periods of environmental stress.
While many mammals, like red foxes and roe deer, were restricted to refugia in southern regions like Iberia and Italy, expanding their ranges as the climate warmed, the study uncovered a fascinating pattern. Some species, including brown bears, wolves, and surprisingly, humans, showed a remarkable ability to withstand the ice age conditions, seemingly without retreating to warmer refugia. They appear to have adapted to the cold, harsh climate, just like their fellow ice age survivors, the wolves and bears.
This discovery challenges the prevailing notion that early humans were inherently less tolerant of cold environments than other animals. The study raises intriguing questions about the factors that allowed humans to thrive in these harsh conditions. Did their omnivorous diet, which enabled them to exploit a wide range of food sources, play a role? Or did their burgeoning technological advancements, such as clothing, fire, and shelter, provide the necessary edge for survival?
The implications of this study reach far beyond the realm of historical understanding. It suggests that humans may be more adaptable to climate change than previously thought, potentially making some regions habitable for longer periods than anticipated. This knowledge holds crucial significance for understanding how human populations might respond to future climatic shifts.
This unexpected revelation about human resilience during the last ice age forces us to reconsider the interplay between human evolution, climate change, and adaptability. It underscores the fascinating complexity of human history and hints at the potential for our species to overcome even the most formidable environmental challenges.