Ancient Sunscreen: How Early Humans Survived a Solar Storm Apocalypse 41,000 Years Ago

Ancient Sunscreen: How Early Humans Survived a Solar Storm Apocalypse 41,000 Years Ago

About 41,000 years ago, Homo sapiens may have survived increased solar radiation caused by a weakening magnetic field by using sunscreen-like ochre, tailored clothing, and caves. Neanderthals, lacking these technologies, likely faced greater exposure and disappeared around the same time. Ancient Homo sapiens may have survived a spike in solar radiation about 41,000 years ago [...]

Sunscreen and Clothes Helped Humans Endure Earth’s Magnetic Shift 41,000 Years Ago

A magnetic shift 41,000 years ago triggered global auroras like the aurora australis. Credit: NASA Around 41,000 years ago, a powerful magnetic shift weakened Earth’s natural shield against space radiation, and early humans turned to simple survival tools – using ochre as a natural sunscreen, wearing protective clothes, and sheltering in caves – to endure the changing environment. This may have helped Homo sapiens survive – while Neanderthals va…

Sunscreen could have given ancient humans an edge over Neanderthals in the struggle for survival

Sunscreen may have been crucial for the survival of prehistoric humans during the time when Neanderthals were perishing, as indicated by recent research conducted by the University of Michigan. In Europe, Homo sapiens may have shielded themselves from harmful solar radiation by using ochre pigment, a natural mineral with yellow, red, and brown hues known [...] Source The post Sunscreen could have given ancient humans an edge over Neanderthals in…

Researchers claim that the use of tailored clothing and ochre gave our early ancestors an advantage over Neanderthals

Earth’s magnetic field failed 41,000 years ago – forever changing human evolution

During a brief but dramatic chapter in Earth’s history about 41,000 years ago, the planet’s magnetic field nearly collapsed. What followed was a cascade of environmental and biological changes that may have shaped the course of human evolution. This period, called the Laschamps excursion, lasted around 2,000 years. The strength of Earth’s magnetic field dropped to just 10% of its current level, while the magnetic poles wandered far from their us…

Researchers suggest some of the factors that may have helped Homo sapiens survive harmful solar radiation during the temporary disruption of the Earth's magnetic field 41,000 years ago. Caves are believed to be among the factors that helped modern humans avoid radiation. Neanderthals and Homo sapiens coexisted in Europe for thousands of years. It is estimated that the former disappeared around 40,000 years ago, while so-called "anatomically mode…