A recent study sheds new light on how Neanderthals and early humans shaped European landscapes long before farming began. Instead of merely living off the land, these ancient populations actively influenced the ecosystems around them.
An international team of researchers, including archaeologists, ecologists, and climate scientists from the Netherlands, Denmark, France, and the UK, used advanced computer simulations to explore this dynamic. Their findings challenge the common belief that humans had almost no impact on their environment before agriculture.
Led by Anastasia Nikulina from Leiden University, the team created a model called HUMLAND (HUMan impact on LANDscapes). This model simulated interactions between climate, wildlife, fire, and human activities during two significant warm periods in history: the Last Interglacial about 125,000 years ago, when only Neanderthals lived in Europe, and the Early Holocene, around 12,000 years ago, when early Homo sapiens inhabited the continent.
By comparing the model’s predictions with actual fossil pollen data, they discovered major discrepancies. While climate changes and wildfires played a role, the researchers found that human actions were essential for understanding these changes.
The simulations revealed that Neanderthals and early humans altered vegetation and landscape structure significantly. For instance, both groups used fire to clear areas and manage their surroundings, affecting plant distribution. Neanderthals influenced about 6% of plant types, while Mesolithic hunter-gatherers had an even more substantial impact, affecting up to 47% of plant distribution.
The methods used by the researchers were innovative. They incorporated artificial intelligence to explore numerous scenarios, identifying the ones that best matched real-world data. This blend of archaeology, ecology, and computational science provided a more accurate picture of how early humans influenced their environments.
The study suggests that human impact on ecosystems is a long-standing feature of our species, not just a result of modern agriculture or industrialization. By examining regions like the Americas or Australia, where early humans arrived without prior hominins, we might further understand the depth of ancient human impact.
In a time when environmental issues are at the forefront, this research offers a crucial reminder: our ancestors were active participants in their ecosystems, shaping the world around them in ways we are only beginning to understand.
If you’re interested in a detailed exploration of this study, check out PLoS One for the full report.
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Holocene,Homo sapiens,Human evolution,Hunter-gatherers,Ice Age,Mesolithic,Neanderthals
