Discover How Early Humans Thrived in Lush Rainforests: Secrets of Survival and Adaptation

For a long time, scientists believed the East African savanna was where our species, Homo sapiens, first emerged. However, new research suggests that our roots may spread across the entire African continent. This means early humans likely adapted to various environments, not just grasslands.

A recent study reveals that some of our ancestors thrived in the dense rainforests of West Africa as far back as 150,000 years ago. Eleanor Scerri, an evolutionary archaeologist from the Max Planck Institute, emphasized that ecological diversity was crucial to the development of our species.

Previously, many researchers felt that East African grasslands were ideal for human survival. The landscape offered opportunities to hunt large herds of animals, which seemed to suit our hunting skills well. Over time, it was thought that we only became capable of living in harsher areas, like tropical rainforests, much later in our history.

Living in rainforests presents challenges. Dense vegetation makes it tough to find food, and the thick cover hides potential predators. Scerri pointed out how difficult it is to spot prey or dangers in such an environment.

In 2018, Scerri and colleagues began questioning the idea that the East African grasslands were the sole cradle of humanity. They argued that finding numerous fossils and stone tools in that region might simply be due to better preservation conditions, not an indication that it was where we first evolved.

This shift in thinking opens up a broader narrative about human evolution. It highlights our ability to adapt to varying climates and ecosystems, showcasing the resilience of our ancestors. Understanding this diverse background can help us appreciate the complexities of human evolution even more.

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