A long-standing question regarding when early members of the genus Homo became adapted to challenging environments like deserts and rainforests has been answered in a recent research study.
A long-standing question about when archaic members of the genus Homo adapted to harsh environments such as deserts and rainforests has been answered in a new research paper.
The study, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, reveals that this adaptation occurred earlier than previously believed.
According to Dr. Julio Mercader Florín, the lead author and a professor at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science, “We uncover how early humans, known as hominins, managed to flourish in severe conditions.”
This collaborative research conducted by teams from UCalgary, the University of Manitoba, and 17 other institutions worldwide indicates that Homo erectus adapted at least 1.2 million years ago—significantly earlier than the emergence of our own species, Homo sapiens.
Mercader shares that the archaeological work took place at Olduvai Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Tanzania.
“Through archaeology, we can observe that Homo erectus repeatedly returned to the same locations over thousands of years,” he explains in an interview. “This wasn’t just a one-time campsite.”
“The density of archaeological remains and fossils indicates that this species was intentionally targeting specific areas of the landscape for their activities,” he adds.
For instance, the archaeological evidence suggests that groups of Homo erectus consistently chose to inhabit sites near freshwater sources like ponds and developed specialized tools for their use.
Co-author Dr. Jed Kaplan, a Canada Research Chair focused on global systems modeling, describes his efforts to recreate the ancient landscapes to simulate conditions in East Africa during that time.
“Factors like drastic climate change leading to desertification would have posed significant survival challenges for hominins,” he notes. “However, our findings indicate a wealth of evidence for hominin activities even under harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme heat and aridity.”
“This shifts our perception of early hominins’ adaptability to extreme environments and shows that Homo erectus was more resilient than we had previously thought.”
Kaplan, who teaches at UCalgary’s Faculty of Science, sees intriguing implications in these findings.
“It’s well-documented that when modern humans emerged 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, we showed remarkable adaptability,” he elaborates. “Not only did we spread across Africa, but we also began to occupy a variety of environments—from the Arctic tundra to the Sahara Desert and tropical rainforests, among others.”
He emphasizes that it is now evident that our ancestors were capable of surviving in a diverse range of settings, including extreme ones.
“That’s new and rather exciting,” Kaplan remarks.
He anticipates that researchers will continue to demonstrate the overall adaptability of Homo erectus.
“These remarkable ancestors were not only able to survive across different types of environments, from rainforests to deserts, but they also constructed boats, enabling navigation across oceanic straits to reach various islands.”
While it remains unclear if they had spoken language, Kaplan suggests they might have communicated through other means, aiding in locating resources such as water or stones for tool-making and fire.
He asserts that this study is valuable because it enhances our understanding of human origins and our relationship with the planet.
“It contributes to a greater comprehension of our role within the Earth’s ecosystem,” he states.
Both researchers highlight the significance of this paper as it integrates a wide array of specialists—from archaeologists to biogeochemists and paleoclimate experts—to produce groundbreaking research.
“It showcases how contemporary climate research is conducted,” Mercader adds. “It serves as a model for understanding both past and current climate science.”
