1 year ago
UV Radiation, Clothing, and Neanderthal Extinction
Long ago, Neanderthals vanished, while humans lived on.
Scientists think one reason could be the Earth's magnetic field weakening, letting in more sun rays.
Humans used 'sunscreen' (pigments) and snug clothes, unlike Neanderthals, who might have been more exposed.
This, along with climate changes, could have made it harder for Neanderthals to survive.
It's still a mystery, but scientists are exploring how these differences could have played a role in who lived and who died.
Weakening of Earth's magnetic field around 40,000 years ago coincided with Neanderthal extinction.
The weakened magnetic field increased exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Homo sapiens used mineral pigments (ocher) as sunscreen and wore form-fitting clothes.
Neanderthals may have worn looser clothing and lacked sunscreen practices.
Researchers suggest these differences may have contributed to Neanderthal demise and human survival.
- Who
- Neanderthals and Homo sapiens (humans).
- What
- Weakening of Earth's magnetic field and increased UV exposure potentially contributed to Neanderthal extinction.
- Where
- Northern and southern latitudes, including areas where Neanderthals and Homo sapiens lived.
- When
- Around 40,000 years ago, during the Laschamps event.
- Why
- Increased UV radiation exposure, possibly combined with other factors, may have disadvantaged Neanderthals.
Researchers Hypothesis
Anthropologists
UV Radiation role
Researchers Hypothesis
UV radiation played a significant role in the demise of Neanderthals.
Anthropologists
It is also possible that this was just a coincidence of timing
Key facts
- Event
- Laschamps event
- Magnetic Field Strength
- About 10% of average
- Sunscreen
- Ocher (mineral pigment)
- Clothing
- Homo sapiens: form-fitting; Neanderthals: loose
- Study Focus
- UV radiation and its effects
Quotes
Raven Garvey
a professor of anthropology at the University of Michigan and Mukhopadhyay’s co-author
“Whoever had the tailored clothing probably did have this advantage, But was it exclusive to one group and was it enough to lead to the extinction of one and the proliferation of the other? These are million-dollar questions.”
livemint.com
“We’re also seeing things like needles and awls and the kinds of implements that would be very useful to poke holes in these hides and then stitch them together with sinew in the mass production of tailored clothing.”
livemint.com
Alan Cooper
an evolutionary biologist at Charles Sturt University in Australia
“It’s not that the UV kills everybody, It’s climate change. Everything goes completely wild at that point.”
livemint.com
Sources
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