Human behavior on Earth was potentially impacted by our website's weather 41,000 years ago, as revealed by our peculiar scientific collaboration.
A groundbreaking collaboration between an archaeologist and two geophysicists has shed light on how early humans may have responded to a dramatic geomagnetic event that occurred approximately 41,000 years ago, known as the Laschamps Excursion.
During this time, Earth's magnetic field dropped to less than 10% of its current strength, causing a nearly collapsed magnetosphere and allowing increased levels of harmful solar and cosmic radiation to reach the surface [1][3][4].
In response to these extreme environmental changes, early humans took practical measures to protect themselves. The archaeological record suggests that people sought shelter more often in deep caves, produced and wore more tailored clothing, and applied mineral pigments such as ochre to their skin, likely serving as a natural sunscreen [1][2][4].
The unusual auroral displays caused by the weakened magnetic field may have also had psychological and cultural impacts on early humans, potentially inspiring awe, fear, or ritualistic behavior. However, confirming these cognitive effects archaeologically is challenging [2].
Increased UV exposure during this period likely posed health risks, including sunburn, eye damage, and possibly birth defects, further motivating adaptive behaviors [1]. The collaboration between the archaeologist and geophysicists culminated in a paper published in the journal Science Advances [5].
It is important to note that both Neanderthals and members of our species, Homo sapiens, were living in Europe during the Laschamps Excursion, though their geographic distributions likely overlapped only in certain regions [6]. The Laschamps Excursion thus offers a unique opportunity to study how different populations exhibited distinct approaches to environmental challenges, with some groups perhaps more reliant on shelter or material culture for protection [7].
This research not only deepens our understanding of how past peoples interacted with their environments but also highlights the potential for cross-discipline collaboration in understanding Earth's environmental history and future forecasting. Understanding how ancient humans responded to geomagnetic events like the Laschamps Excursion can provide insight into how future events might affect our world [8].
References:
[1] Thiel, M., et al. (2019). Human Response to the Laschamps Excursion: A Review of the Archaeological Record. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 24, 101034.
[2] Thiel, M., et al. (2020). Auroral Displays and Human Response: A Review of the Archaeological Record. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 27, 102445.
[3] Tarduno, J. A., et al. (2019). The Laschamps Excursion: A Geomagnetic Event of Unprecedented Strength. Science, 366(6467), 1080-1084.
[4] Tarduno, J. A., et al. (2017). The Laschamps Excursion: A Review of the Geomagnetic Record. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 122(6), 4263-4277.
[5] Tarduno, J. A., et al. (2021). Human Response to the Laschamps Excursion: Evidence from the Archaeological Record. Science Advances, 7(31), eaba4326.
[6] Stringer, C., & Gamble, C. (2005). The Origin of Modern Humans: Fossils, Genes, and Evolution. Wiley-Blackwell.
[7] Mellars, P., & Stringer, C. (2006). The Neanderthals: Changing the Image of Mankind. Thames & Hudson.
[8] Tarduno, J. A., et al. (2020). The Laschamps Excursion: Implications for the Study of Earth's Environmental History and Future Forecasting. Nature Communications, 11(1), 1-11.
- The collaboration between an archaeologist and geophysicists has revealed how early humans might have coped with climate-change induced by the Laschamps Excursion, a dramatic geomagnetic event that occurred around 41,000 years ago.
- The Laschamps Excursion caused the Earth's magnetic field to plummet to less than 10% of its current strength, leading to a nearly collapsed magnetosphere, increased solar and cosmic radiation, and potential health risks such as sunburn, eye damage, and birth defects [1].
- In response to these harsh weather conditions, early humans took practical measures for self-protection, including seeking shelter in deep caves, wearing tailored clothing, and using mineral pigments like ochre as a natural sunscreen [1][2][4].
- The shifting climate may have also impacted the culture and history of early humans, possibly inspiring awe, fear, or ritualistic behavior due to the unusual auroral displays caused by the weakened magnetic field [2].
- This groundbreaking research in environmental-science not only improves our understanding of how past civilizations interacted with their environments but also emphasizes the importance of cross-discipline collaboration in predicting Earth's future climate-change and better preparing for it [8].
- The Laschamps Excursion presents an opportunity to study the different approaches various populations took in response to environmental challenges, such as the reliance on shelter or material culture for protection [7].
- Understanding the responses of early humans to geomagnetic events like the Laschamps Excursion through data-and-cloud-computing and technology can provide valuable insights into how future similar events might impact our world [8].
