Humans evolved due to climate change?

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have discovered that the rapid fluctuation of temperature coincides with the emergence of distant relatives with humans and the growth and spread of tools by rock.

Dr. Matt Grove has conducted a reconstruction of the reaction process of climate human ancestors over 5 million years using genetic modeling techniques.

Climate change is related to human evolution
with the appearance of stone tools. (Photo: Fotolia)

When the results are compared to the time of human evolution, Dr. Grove found that this important event occurred simultaneously with a period of great temperature variation.

After a strong start of climate change, about 2.7 million years ago, some new species appeared after disappearing 1.5 million years ago. The first stone tools were found about 2.6 million years ago and supported some species in responding to rapid changes in climatic conditions.

Grove said: '1.5 million years ago, humans had only one ancestor left - Homo erectus. The key to the survival of Homo erectus is the flexibility in behavior as well as their adaptability. This is the most geographically popular species during this period. While other species have their own environmental characteristics, they gradually disappear and lead to extinction, Homo erectus seems to carry common traits to cope with unexpected changes in climate and the environment. '.

This indicates that each species in the process of evolution, when faced with rapid climate change, should do something to adapt to the change of the environment rather than trying to create a separate living environment. special. Research shows that Homo erectus can be a perfect product of this process.

The relationship between climate change and evolution also contributes to providing some information for the current global climate change debate.

The study is published in the Journal of Human Evolution , Journal of Archaeological Science.