Humans have always been on the move. Anatomically modern humans (AMH) evolved in Africa around 300,000 years ago reaching Europe by 40,000 years before today. But what drove these past migrations, and how did early humans adapt to new environments? The "Our Way Model" (OWM) helps us explore these questions.

What Drove Prehistoric Migrations?

Prehistoric human migration was likely driven by economic needs, ecological changes, social dynamics, and climatic shifts. The last Ice Age, with its extreme climate changes, challenged human survival and adaptability.

The "Our Way Model": A New Perspective

Human dispersal was a complex process of advances, retreats, and resettlements. The OWM uses the Human Existence Potential (HEP) to combine archaeological data with climate simulations, predicting where ancient humans might have lived. By incorporating oxygen isotope data from ice cores, the model shows how climate changes influenced human migration in 20-year increments.

Key Insights

OWM simulations reveal four phases of AMH migration into Europe: slow initial movement, rapid expansion, population decline due to harsh conditions, and eventual population growth as climates improved. These insights highlight the adaptability of early humans and the role of climate in shaping migration patterns.

Looking Ahead

The OWM provides valuable insights into ancient human migration. Future research aims to incorporate more human-environment interactions, offering a deeper understanding of how cultural evolution influenced these migrations. To learn more, explore the paper (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51349-y) and blogpost (https://communities.springernature.com/posts/modelling-human-dispersal-in-the-past-our-way-model).