10 Discoveries That Suggest Multiple Extinctions of Humanity
These 10 discoveries hint that humanity may have faced multiple near-extinction events in the past.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 3 min read
Archaeological, geological, and genetic evidence suggests that human populations have experienced drastic declines in the past. Some findings indicate that entire groups of humans may have gone extinct before modern Homo sapiens fully emerged. This article highlights 10 discoveries that hint at multiple extinction events in human history.
1. 1. Genetic Bottlenecks in Human DNA
Xiaoyun Cai on Wikimedia Commons
Studies of human DNA reveal periods of extremely low genetic diversity. These bottlenecks suggest populations dropped to a few thousand individuals at times. Such events could have been caused by disease, climate change, or other disasters. Genetic evidence indicates humanity nearly disappeared multiple times.
2. 2. Toba Supervolcano Eruption
O.V.E.R.V.I.E.W. on Wikimedia Commons
The Toba eruption in Indonesia around 74,000 years ago was one of the largest volcanic events in history. Evidence suggests it caused a volcanic winter lasting several years. Human populations may have dropped significantly during this period. This event could have been a near-extinction bottleneck for early humans.
3. 3. Fossil Gaps in Human Lineages
Sceptic view on Wikimedia Commons
Certain periods in the fossil record show few human fossils. These gaps suggest population declines or localized extinctions. Fossil evidence indicates that some hominin species disappeared suddenly. Modern humans may have survived while others went extinct.
4. 4. Neanderthal Extinction
Berria on Wikimedia Commons
Neanderthals disappeared around 40,000 years ago. Genetic evidence shows interactions with Homo sapiens, but many populations vanished entirely. Their extinction represents a partial replacement of one human species. Environmental and competitive pressures likely contributed.
5. 5. Denisovan Disappearance
Buckley on Wikimedia Commons
Denisovans, known from a few fossils in Siberia, went extinct around 50,000 years ago. Genetic traces remain in modern humans, but the species vanished. The limited fossil record indicates sudden population collapse. Their disappearance suggests humanity has experienced multiple extinctions.
6. 6. Y-Chromosome and Mitochondrial Evidence
Christinelmiller on Wikimedia Commons
Analyses of Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA show lineages narrowing at certain points. This indicates extreme population reductions. Some periods may have reduced humans to small, isolated groups. These genetic patterns support multiple near-extinction events.
7. 7. Megafauna Extinction Events
A Cynical Idealist on Wikimedia Commons
The disappearance of large animals often coincided with early human expansion. Hunting and environmental changes contributed to ecosystem collapse. Human populations may have faced food shortages during these events. This could have driven localized population extinctions.
8. 8. Ancient Climate Shifts
NASA/JPL-Caltech on Wikimedia Commons
Rapid climate changes, including ice ages and droughts, repeatedly stressed human populations. Evidence from sediment cores and fossils shows environmental catastrophes. These shifts likely caused widespread mortality. Multiple climate events may have led to repeated population collapses.
9. 9. Archaeological Site Abandonments
Ken Lund on Wikimedia Commons
Some early settlements show evidence of sudden abandonment. Layers of artifacts indicate rapid depopulation. Archaeological data suggest that entire communities disappeared simultaneously. This pattern aligns with extinction or near-extinction events.
10. 10. Homo Floresiensis Disappearance
Rosino on Wikimedia Commons
The small human species Homo floresiensis vanished around 50,000 years ago. Their extinction coincided with rising sea levels and the arrival of modern humans. Limited fossil evidence suggests a sudden population collapse. This highlights another instance of a human-like species facing extinction.