The Frigid Epoch that Shaped Europe: Extreme Ice Age Linked to Disappearance of Earliest Humans

Recent findings indicate that following an unforeseen cold spell, the continent remained devoid of hominins for approximately 200,000 years.

A new study¹ has unveiled a fascinating glimpse into Europe's ancient past, revealing a period of extreme cooling that might have led to the disappearance of the continent's earliest human inhabitants. This research challenges previous assumptions about continuous human occupation in Europe, shedding light on a gap in history that lasted for approximately 200,000 years. The study, published in Science, delves into the mysteries of this chilling epoch and its impact on our ancient ancestors.

For generations, it was believed that humans had inhabited Europe without interruption for over a million years since their initial arrival. However, the recent analysis by researchers, including paleoclimatologist Chronis Tzedakis from University College London, paints a different picture. There seems to be a missing chapter in history—a gap of about 200,000 years—where evidence of human presence is notably absent.