Research by scientists indicates that the migration of human ancestors tens of thousands of years ago predominantly occurred through warm and humid areas, characterized by a combination of forests and grasslands near rivers.
The “Out of Africa” theory suggests that over 70,000 years ago, prehistoric humans began to migrate. (Source: environewsnigeria).
Australian researchers have gathered new data on the first migration of prehistoric humans, revealing how environmental conditions in Northern Eurasia and the Americas shaped the journey of human ancestors when they left Africa tens of thousands of years ago.
The “Out of Africa” theory posits that over 70,000 years ago, some groups left Africa to migrate across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. However, scientists are still unclear about how much the environments outside Africa facilitated or hindered their journey.
Researchers from Flinders University in South Australia combined climate models, genetic data, and archaeological evidence to examine how environmental conditions influenced migration, while also aiming to redefine humanity’s relationship with nature in a more sustainable way.
Graphics show the preferred routes of the first migrants across Eurasia and the Americas. (Image: Lifesciences)
The study indicates that in Europe, humans likely migrated from the Fertile Crescent in the Middle East to Scandinavia around 48,300 years ago and to Western Europe about 44,100 years ago, following warmer and wetter weather conditions.
In Northern Asia, the research shows migration routes along major rivers to cope with harsher climates before reaching Beringia—the land bridge currently submerged between Siberia and Alaska—around 34,700 years ago.
In North America, humans initially migrated along the Pacific coast around 16,000 years ago and continued inland about 3,000 years later, using ice-free routes along the Mackenzie River.
In South America, from 14,800 years ago, migration occurred through wetter grasslands adjacent to the Amazon to take advantage of the connectivity provided by large rivers.
This multidisciplinary analysis, led by Dr. Frédérik Saltré, an ecologist at Flinders University, was recently published in the journal Nature Communications, demonstrating that despite environmental differences across migration routes, our ancestors primarily moved through warm and humid areas that featured a mix of forest and grassland ecosystems near rivers.
Dr. Saltré stated: “The first migrants preferred routes that provided essential resources and facilitated travel, as well as areas combining forests and open spaces for shelter and food sources, allowing them to easily explore new territories.”
Professor Corey Bradshaw, also from Flinders University, noted that the research model provides a solid framework for exploring and understanding the complexities of history, offering insights into events and conditions in the past that have shaped the present.
The first migrants preferred routes that provided essential resources. (Source: learnerlog).
“Knowing where humans first set foot outside the cradle of human evolution tells us how adaptable our ancestors were; the environmental challenges they faced and how they overcame them to survive. We can also infer the technological innovations that took place during that time, such as boats, clothing, and other tools that enabled humans to conquer the harshest environments.”
Associate Professor Bastien Llamas from the University of Adelaide mentioned that integrating genetic data with historical climate information and archaeological discoveries is a compelling method for inferring human migration patterns in the past.
“Studying genetic differences among groups helps us understand ancient migration patterns. Typically, this leads to a basic map showing general movements from one area to another without detailed routes. However, by combining genetic data with information about climate, past environments, and archaeological findings, we can create much more detailed and accurate maps of when and how humans migrated between different regions.”
Dr. Saltré emphasized that the research results demonstrate that rich ecosystems have helped humans thrive in new environments for thousands of years, highlighting the importance of biodiversity in how our ancestors adapted and overcame environmental challenges.
