New research has revealed that early humans, Homo erectus, were more adaptable to harsh environments than previously thought. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that only Homo sapiens could thrive in extreme ecosystems like deserts and rainforests.
Scientists have found evidence suggesting that Homo erectus was able to survive in diverse and unstable environments as far back as two million years ago. This finding is significant, given that Homo sapiens existed for around 300,000 years before the current era began.
Researchers studied archaeological data from Oldupai Gorge in Tanzania’s equatorial zone, where they found semi-desert conditions persisted between one to two million years ago. The team discovered that groups of Homo erectus adapted to these conditions by returning to areas with freshwater and developing specialized stone tools.
The findings suggest that Homo erectus had a greater adaptability than previously thought, enabling them to transcend environmental boundaries on a global scale. This discovery challenges assumptions about early hominin dispersal limits, positioning Homo erectus as a versatile generalist that thrived in some of the most challenging landscapes of the Middle Pleistocene era.
The research, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, provides new insights into the ecological range and technologies of Homo erectus. The discovery is set to redefine our understanding of human evolution and the adaptability of early humans.
Source: https://www.sci.news/othersciences/anthropology/homo-erectus-steppe-desert-landscapes-13588.html