How and when did humans get to North America? It is arguably one of the most hotly debated topics in archaeology. There have been many theories and studies over the years, and a recent study suggests that sea ice may have played a role in one way for people to move farther south.&nbsp;

Traditionally, scientists have believed that around 13,000 years ago, Stone Age hunters made their way across a land bridge between eastern Siberia and western Alaska and eventually walked their way to an ice-free corridor that briefly opened between ice sheets during this time.&nbsp;

However, recent findings, including human footprints in New Mexico which date back to 23,000 years have once again reignited the debate since the discoveries suggest that people made their way onto the continent much earlier.

<h2>What does the recent study propose?</h2>

Research presented on December 15 at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting (AGU23) suggests that sea ice may have been one way for people to move thousands of years ago.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-tiny-telescope-discovers-seven-hot-jupiters-millions-of-light-years-away-670508">NASA’s tiny telescope discovers seven hot Jupiters millions of light-years away</a>

While the idea that early Americans may have travelled along the Pacific Coast isn’t new, the conditions were not exactly favourable. In 2020, researchers noted that freshwater from melting glaciers at the time may have created a strong current which would make it difficult for people to travel along the coast.

In line with this, Summer Praetorius the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and her team tried to study climate proxies in ocean sediment from the coast. Archaeologists have previously found evidence of coastal settlements as early as 14,000 years ago.&nbsp;

Although most of the data for Praetorius’ study came from tiny, fossilised plankton, researchers also used climate models to check ocean currents at the time. The abundance and chemistry of these organisms helped scientists reconstruct ocean temperatures, salinity, and sea ice cover.

<h2>What did they find?</h2>

Praetorious’ team found that ocean currents were twice the strength they are today at the height of the last glacial maximum around 20,000 years ago due to glacial winds and lower sea levels, conditions which would have made travelling by boat nearly impossible.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/iss-astronaut-snaps-photos-of-icebergs-a-reminder-of-climate-change-670133">ISS astronaut snaps photos of icebergs - a reminder of climate change</a>

Therefore, Praetorius suggests that since&nbsp;people back then who were adapted to the cold, would “rather than having to paddle against this horrible glacial current, maybe they were using the sea ice as a platform.” Similar to how people living in the Arctic travel along sea ice on dog sleds and snowmobiles.&nbsp;

Early Americans could have used the ‘sea ice highway’ to get around and hunt marine mammals, slowly making their way into North America in the process, said Praetorius.&nbsp;

While proving this will be difficult given that most of the archaeological sites are underwater, the recently proposed theory does provide a new framework.&nbsp;

The USGS scientist also noted that the sea ice highway isn’t mutually exclusive with other human migrations which took place later since their models show the Alaskan current had calmed down by 14,000 years ago, making it easier for people to travel by boat along the coast.

(With inputs from agencies)

How and when did humans get to North America? It is arguably one of the most hotly debated topics in archaeology. There have been many theories and studies over the years, and a recent study suggests that sea ice may have played a role in one way for people to move farther south.

How and when did humans get to North America? It is arguably one of the most hotly debated topics in archaeology. There have been many theories and studies over the years, and a recent study suggests that sea ice may have played a role in one way for people to move farther south. Traditionally, scientists have believed that around 13,000 years ago, Stone Age hunters made their way across a land bridge between eastern Siberia and western Alaska and eventually walked their way to an ice-free corridor that briefly opened between ice sheets during this time. However, recent findings, including human footprints in New Mexico which date back to 23,000 years have once again reignited the debate since the discoveries suggest that people made their way onto the continent much earlier. What does the recent study propose? Research presented on December 15 at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting (AGU23) suggests that sea ice may have been one way for people to move thousands of years ago. ALSO READ | NASA’s tiny telescope discovers seven hot Jupiters millions of light-years away While the idea that early Americans may have travelled along the Pacific Coast isn’t new, the conditions were not exactly favourable. In 2020, researchers noted that freshwater from melting glaciers at the time may have created a strong current which would make it difficult for people to travel along the coast. In line with this, Summer Praetorius the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and her team tried to study climate proxies in ocean sediment from the coast. Archaeologists have previously found evidence of coastal settlements as early as 14,000 years ago. Although most of the data for Praetorius’ study came from tiny, fossilised plankton, researchers also used climate models to check ocean currents at the time. The abundance and chemistry of these organisms helped scientists reconstruct ocean temperatures, salinity, and sea ice cover. What did they find? Praetorious’ team found that ocean currents were twice the strength they are today at the height of the last glacial maximum around 20,000 years ago due to glacial winds and lower sea levels, conditions which would have made travelling by boat nearly impossible. ALSO READ | ISS astronaut snaps photos of icebergs - a reminder of climate change Therefore, Praetorius suggests that since people back then who were adapted to the cold, would “rather than having to paddle against this horrible glacial current, maybe they were using the sea ice as a platform.” Similar to how people living in the Arctic travel along sea ice on dog sleds and snowmobiles. Early Americans could have used the ‘sea ice highway’ to get around and hunt marine mammals, slowly making their way into North America in the process, said Praetorius. While proving this will be difficult given that most of the archaeological sites are underwater, the recently proposed theory does provide a new framework. The USGS scientist also noted that the sea ice highway isn’t mutually exclusive with other human migrations which took place later since their models show the Alaskan current had calmed down by 14,000 years ago, making it easier for people to travel by boat along the coast. (With inputs from agencies)

Study suggests first people reached North America via ‘sea ice highway’ around 24,000 years ago

Back in June of this year, a team of researchers made sensational claims about a small-brained ancient hominid known as Homo naledi. The alleged discovery by the research team led by Professor Lee Berger of the University of Witwatersrand excited the scientific community to no end.&nbsp;

The findings, if proven accurate, could overturn much of what we know about human evolution. However, a recent paper has ridiculed the "discovery".&nbsp;

<h2>What the team claimed to have discovered</h2>

Dr Berger and his team claimed to have found evidence that the long-extinct species buried its dead and decorated their graves with abstract markings.

Given that the species had a brain no larger than a chimpanzee's, this finding at the time suggested intelligence similar to modern humans.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-homo-sapiens-but-this-extinct-human-species-buried-their-dead-first-601963">Not homo sapiens but this extinct human species buried their dead first</a>

This could be the oldest evidence of burials by the human species. The discovery as reported by the team was made in South Africa's Rising Star Cave System.

<h2>New research rebuts Berger's findings</h2>

A new study has pooh-poohed the Homo naledi-mania and suggests that the small-brained human ancestors may have nothing to do with the burials or marking of graves.

The research which has been published in the Journal of Human Evolution suggests that instead of it being chalked up to a deliberate disposal of the dead, some natural processes may explain the findings better.

Researchers from Spain and Australia suggest that things like a natural death trap or the bones being transported inside the narrow cave via flowing or flood waters may be a better explanation. According to them, an ancient member of the species may also have carried the remains into the cave or they could be there because of carnivore activity.

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To back their hypothesis, they cite geological, taphonomic and paleontological evidence.

They also say that the caves where the bones of more than 15 Homo naledi individuals representing all age groups were found were too unreachable. This meant that other researchers could not enter the caves and verify Berger's findings.

It also pours cold water on the alleged centuries-old engravings and says that Berger's teams have used any scientific methods to date them. They conclude that the Rising Star team has built a "persuasive discourse" which is "misleading" and that "they do not test their hypothesis but selectively report the evidence that supports their preferred scenario."

(With inputs from agencies)

Back in June of this year, a team of researchers made sensational claims about a small-brained ancient hominid known as Homo naledi. The alleged discovery by the research team led by Professor Lee Berger of the University of Witwatersrand excited the scientific community to no end.

Back in June of this year, a team of researchers made sensational claims about a small-brained ancient hominid known as Homo naledi. The alleged discovery by the research team led by Professor Lee Berger of the University of Witwatersrand excited the scientific community to no end. The findings, if proven accurate, could overturn much of what we know about human evolution. However, a recent paper has ridiculed the "discovery". What the team claimed to have discovered Dr Berger and his team claimed to have found evidence that the long-extinct species buried its dead and decorated their graves with abstract markings. Given that the species had a brain no larger than a chimpanzee's, this finding at the time suggested intelligence similar to modern humans. Also read | Not homo sapiens but this extinct human species buried their dead first This could be the oldest evidence of burials by the human species. The discovery as reported by the team was made in South Africa's Rising Star Cave System. New research rebuts Berger's findings A new study has pooh-poohed the Homo naledi-mania and suggests that the small-brained human ancestors may have nothing to do with the burials or marking of graves. The research which has been published in the Journal of Human Evolution suggests that instead of it being chalked up to a deliberate disposal of the dead, some natural processes may explain the findings better. Researchers from Spain and Australia suggest that things like a natural death trap or the bones being transported inside the narrow cave via flowing or flood waters may be a better explanation. According to them, an ancient member of the species may also have carried the remains into the cave or they could be there because of carnivore activity. Also read | Trouble in space: Soaring costs of NASA's Mars Sample Return Mission risk other significant projects To back their hypothesis, they cite geological, taphonomic and paleontological evidence. They also say that the caves where the bones of more than 15 Homo naledi individuals representing all age groups were found were too unreachable. This meant that other researchers could not enter the caves and verify Berger's findings. It also pours cold water on the alleged centuries-old engravings and says that Berger's teams have used any scientific methods to date them. They conclude that the Rising Star team has built a "persuasive discourse" which is "misleading" and that "they do not test their hypothesis but selectively report the evidence that supports their preferred scenario." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists pooh-pooh claims that extinct ancient hominid 'Homo naledi' buried its dead

Archaeologists discovered ancient human remains buried at Peru´s Chan Chan Archaeological Site. The skeletons belonging to 25 to 30 Chimu people were found is believed to be an ancient mass grave on the Chan Chan Archaeological Zone.

Remains of ancient humans found in Peru's Chan Chan

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