Emily Lena JonesSep 1, 2023
Sheril Kirshenbaum

Scientists in China have found evidence that our ancestors were almost entirely wiped out ~1 million years ago.

Why? #ClimateChange

While not every expert agrees, the research is intriguing & @Carl_Zimmer has the details: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/31/science/human-survival-bottleneck.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare #science

Humanity’s Ancestors Nearly Died Out, Genetic Study Suggests

The population crashed following climate change about 930,000 years ago, scientists concluded. Other experts aren’t convinced by the analysis.

The New York Times
Sep 1, 2023 at 1:25amMetatext
Show threadDani 🍁Sep 1, 2023

@Sheril @Carl_Zimmer This article isn’t paywalled.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/genetics-suggest-our-human-ancestors-very-nearly-went-extinct-900000-years-ago-180982830/

Our Human Ancestors Very Nearly Went Extinct 900,000 Years Ago, Genetics Suggest

A study proposes that the population that gave rise to modern humans may have been reduced to roughly 1,300 reproducing individuals

Smithsonian Magazine
Show threadfedrancoSep 1, 2023
@DaniEhm @Sheril @Carl_Zimmer thank you!
Show threadAlan Matthews 🇬🇧 🇪🇺Sep 1, 2023
@DaniEhm @Sheril @Carl_Zimmer
Also in the guardian #ClimateChange #Archaeology
Population collapse almost wiped out human ancestors, say scientists
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/aug/31/population-collapse-almost-wiped-out-human-ancestors-say-scientists?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Population collapse almost wiped out human ancestors, say scientists

Genomics analysis indicates that at least 800,000 years ago breeding individuals sank to as few as 1,300

The Guardian
Show threadThe Many Voices of Anne AhlertSep 5, 2023
@DaniEhm @Sheril @Carl_Zimmer
Thank you!