Homo erectus survived desert conditions over a million years ago

New study challenges previous understanding of human survival in extreme environments.

Reconstruction of the Homo erectus face at the Prehistory Museum, on July 18, 2013, in Tautavel, France. Photo by Raphael Gaillarde/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Novanka Laras

A new study has uncovered evidence that Homo erectus, one of the earliest human ancestors, survived in extreme desert conditions over a million years ago, challenging long-standing assumptions about human adaptability in hostile environments. The research, which casts doubt on the idea that Homo sapiens were the first humans capable of living in such punishing landscapes, highlights a significant turning point in the history of human survival and expansion into extreme environments.

Homo erectus, which emerged more than 1.8 million years ago, is now believed to have been much more resilient than previously thought. According to Julio Mercader Florin, lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Calgary, the ability of early humans to adapt to desert and tropical forests marks a major milestone in human evolution and survival.

For years, scientists believed that only Homo sapiens, who first appeared around 300,000 years ago, were capable of living sustainably in harsh desert and tropical regions. The early hominins, who split from other great apes, were thought to have primarily inhabited more temperate environments such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands. In these ecosystems, resources were generally more abundant and predictable.

The belief that early hominins, including Homo erectus, were confined to less hostile environments has been widely accepted, especially in relation to iconic prehistoric sites such as Olduvai Gorge in modern-day Tanzania. Located in East Africa's Great Rift Valley, Olduvai Gorge has played a pivotal role in the study of human evolution, but recent research suggests that it was not the lush, fertile environment once believed.

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment on Thursday, researchers have shown that Olduvai Gorge was, in fact, a desert steppe over a million years ago. The team of international scientists used a combination of archaeological, geological, and palaeoclimatic data to reconstruct the ecosystem of the gorge during this period.

Fossilized pollen from the Ephedra shrub, which thrives in arid environments, as well as signs of wildfires and evidence of extreme drought, suggest that the area experienced harsh, dry conditions between one and 1.2 million years ago. These findings challenge the previous assumption that early humans lived in more temperate climates, providing new insights into the adaptability of early human ancestors.

At the Engaji Nanyori site in Olduvai Gorge, researchers uncovered compelling evidence that Homo erectus was well adapted to surviving in this harsh desert environment. According to Mercader Florin, Homo erectus likely focused on ecological "focal points" such as river confluences, where resources like water and food were more predictable. By repeatedly exploiting these areas, Homo erectus demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to extreme conditions, showcasing a level of resilience and strategic planning previously underestimated.

Specialized tools found at the site, including hand axes, scrapers, and cleavers, reveal that Homo erectus was also adept at processing animal carcasses. The bones of various animals, including cows, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and antelopes, were found with cut marks, indicating that early humans had the skills to skin animals and extract valuable bone marrow.

Survival in arid environments

The evidence suggests that Homo erectus not only survived in arid environments but also optimized resource use to thrive in an environment where food was scarce and unpredictable. Mercader Florin explained that the tools found at the site demonstrate how Homo erectus adapted their behavior to make the most of limited resources. In an environment where survival required high mobility and the ability to navigate through challenges such as extreme temperatures and low food density, Homo erectus's ingenuity played a key role in their survival.

"Our findings show that Homo erectus was capable of surviving long-term in extreme environments characterized by low food availability, temperature extremes, and navigational challenges," Mercader Florin stated. "This adaptability expands Homo erectus's potential range into the Saharo-Sindian region across Africa and into similar environments in Asia."

The study provides new insights into the behavioral and ecological strategies employed by Homo erectus, demonstrating the species' exceptional resilience in the face of extreme conditions. By adapting to diverse environments and leveraging ecological focal points, Homo erectus was able to expand its range into some of the harshest regions on Earth.

This study reshapes our understanding of Homo erectus and its role in human evolution. The ability to survive in such extreme environments suggests that early human ancestors were far more adaptable and resourceful than previously believed. These findings also offer a broader perspective on the environmental challenges that early humans faced and how they successfully navigated them.

As researchers continue to explore the evolution of early humans, this new understanding of Homo erectus’s survival strategies will likely play a significant role in future studies of human adaptability and the migration of early hominins across diverse ecosystems. The findings open up new avenues for investigating how Homo erectus was able to thrive in extreme conditions, providing important clues to the evolutionary history of our species.

The study also challenges the notion that Homo sapiens were the first humans capable of living in hostile environments, pushing back the timeline for the survival of human ancestors in such extreme conditions. With this new understanding, scientists can reframe the story of human evolution, emphasizing the diverse ways in which early humans adapted to the challenges of their environments and survived in some of the harshest regions on the planet.