Researchers disclosed on Thursday that a long-standing query regarding human history has finally been resolved.
Over a million years ago, far preceding our species, Homo sapiens arising from this, early humans adjusted to living in environments resembling deserts.
The discoveries "alter our perception" of our ancient forebears, referred to as Homo erectus who were "more flexible than we thought," as stated The University of Calgary professor, Dr. Jed Kaplan, . Homo erectus are the First among our kin to possess humanlike bodily measurements .
Kaplan was one of the co-authors of the findings released on Thursday in the journal. Nature Communications: Earth & Environment .
Prior studies had determined that solely Homo sapiens managed to adjust to these surroundings, and There has been considerable discussion Once early hominins—the group comprising modern humans and all their direct predecessors—gained the ability to thrive in harsh conditions.
To uncover how these hominins managed to flourish despite harsh climate extremes, an international team of researchers conducted their work at Olduvai Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Tanzania.
"Through conducting archaeology, what becomes evident is that Homo erectus repeatedly returns to the same location within the terrain across millennia," stated Professor Dr. Julio Mercader from the University of Calgary. "This site was occupied multiple times and isn’t just a single encampment.
"There is a significant buildup of archaeological remnants and fossils indicating that a particular species consistently focused on a precise location within the terrain for their intended purpose," he went on to explain.
The findings from their archaeological study indicated that Homo erectus kept going back to settle near sources of fresh water, and created specialized stone implements.
"These notable forebears weren't only capable of surviving in various environments ranging from rainforests to deserts, but they also constructed vessels and crossed oceanic channels to reach different islands," Kaplan noted.
Utilizing their findings, Kaplan managed to recreate ancient landscapes, simulating the environment of the East African region during those times. Their investigation revealed signs of hominin activity amid climatic conditions indicative of extremely hot and arid phases.
The flexibility probably aided in the growth of Homo erectus The research indicated these areas extend into the dry sections of Africa and Eurasia.
Humans dating back 200,000 to 300,000 years displayed remarkable adaptability, thriving in environments ranging from the Arctic tundra to the Sahara Desert.
There are still many unanswered questions regarding this topic. Homo erectus , as though they possessed their own language. However, according to Kaplan, these discoveries aid us in gaining a deeper understanding of our identity.
Kaplan commented, "This serves as an enhancement for a deeper comprehension of our planet and humanity’s part within it."
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