Avoiding Extinction
![Picture](/uploads/9/0/2/3/90237445/6-1-1-15-modernhumannearextinct-sq-md.png?359)
Lake Toba, as it is known today, are the remnants left behind after a super volcano eruption 70,000 years ago. Powerful enough to form a large crater called a Caldera, it created a 7 year long winter and severe droughts that harshly impacted forests and monsoonal regions. The eruption devastated the worldwide population of early humans, including Homo sapiens with only 3000 to 10,000 individuals theorised to have survived, resulting in a genetic bottleneck. The bottleneck effect caused a sudden increase in genetic mutations in populations, leading to rapid accelerated differentiation. The immense selective pressure placed on prehistoric humans during this harsh period of time has led researchers to propose that the sudden increase in the frequency of mutations in human populations due to the bottleneck may have resulted in a faster rate of biological adaptions. These changes could revolve around intelligence as the emergence of new technologies and rapid brain growth occurred succeeding the supervolcanic eruption. Once the rough climatic condition ceased, Homo sapien populations expanded further across the world, leading to the development of communication and the culture of human society. This is known as the founder effect, where small isolated populations diverge from the original populations.
![Picture](/uploads/9/0/2/3/90237445/2-3-1-5-neanderthal-extinct-sq-md.png?322)
As humans spread across the planet, our population experienced multiple succeeding bottlenecks which led to the diversity that currently exists in modern human society. While prehistoric humans managed to endure the harsh consequences of these extreme climate changes, other early human species were unable to tolerate it. Homo erectus went extinct around 70,000 years ago, shortly after this catastrophic event. Homo neanderthalensis managed to continue surviving for a few tens of thousand years before they were outcompeted by Homo sapiens. Neanderthalensis had adapted to living in colder regions which would have benefited them during this extended cooling period, however, it is theorised that once small populations left their lands to migrate to warmer regions, Homo sapiens took the opportunity to inhabit their land. Their mastery of fire and ability to build efficient clothing and shelter helped the species prosper and grow in population. The expansion of prehistoric humans left little land for the Homo neanderthalensis to live or hunt, thus they eventually died out, leaving behind no descendants.