Nature, culture and human occupation of Planet Earth
- Alessandro Mondanaro,
- Marina Melchionna,
- Mirko Di Febbraro,
- Silvia Castiglione,
- Philip B. Holden,
- Neil R. Edwards,
- Francesco Carotenuto,
- Luigi Maiorano,
- Maria Modafferi,
- Carmela Serio,
- Jose Alexandre Diniz-Filho,
- Thiago Rangel,
- Lorenzo Rook,
- Paul O'Higgins,
- Penny Spikins,
- Antonio Profico,
- Pasquale Raia
Marina Melchionna
Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Author ProfileSilvia Castiglione
Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Author ProfileFrancesco Carotenuto
Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Author ProfilePasquale Raia
Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Author ProfileAbstract
Homo sapiens is possibly the most ecologically plastic animal species
ever, capable to overcome climatic variability beyond its physiological
limits by means of culture. This adaptability has a strong cultural
component which required the development both new technologies and major
social changes sometimes in our distant past1,2. Highly contentious
archaeological evidence suggests these innovations may have predated the
emergence of our own species3. Here we studied climate niche width
evolution in Homo, using fine-detailed palaeoclimatic data while
controlling for phylogenetic effects. Our results point to sudden
widening of the climatic niches exploited by Homo starting with the
emergence of H. heidelbergensis. From the Middle Pleistocene, Homo
ceased to be confined to physiologically suitable regions, despite
progressive harshening of global climatic conditions. These results
suggest cultural modernity, and its associated technological
advancements, including habitual use of fire and clothing, appeared
before the emergence of our own species.