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Frequent disturbances enhanced the resilience of past human populations

Author

Listed:
  • Philip Riris

    (Bournemouth University)

  • Fabio Silva

    (Bournemouth University)

  • Enrico Crema

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Alessio Palmisano

    (University of Turin)

  • Erick Robinson

    (Native Environment Solutions
    Desert Research Institute
    Arizona State University)

  • Peter E. Siegel

    (Montclair State University)

  • Jennifer C. French

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Erlend Kirkeng Jørgensen

    (Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research)

  • Shira Yoshi Maezumi

    (Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology)

  • Steinar Solheim

    (University of Oslo)

  • Jennifer Bates

    (Seoul National University)

  • Benjamin Davies

    (Tufts University)

  • Yongje Oh

    (Seoul National University)

  • Xiaolin Ren

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The record of past human adaptations provides crucial lessons for guiding responses to crises in the future1–3. To date, there have been no systematic global comparisons of humans’ ability to absorb and recover from disturbances through time4,5. Here we synthesized resilience across a broad sample of prehistoric population time–frequency data, spanning 30,000 years of human history. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of population decline show that frequent disturbances enhance a population’s capacity to resist and recover from later downturns. Land-use patterns are important mediators of the strength of this positive association: farming and herding societies are more vulnerable but also more resilient overall. The results show that important trade-offs exist when adopting new or alternative land-use strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Philip Riris & Fabio Silva & Enrico Crema & Alessio Palmisano & Erick Robinson & Peter E. Siegel & Jennifer C. French & Erlend Kirkeng Jørgensen & Shira Yoshi Maezumi & Steinar Solheim & Jennifer Bate, 2024. "Frequent disturbances enhanced the resilience of past human populations," Nature, Nature, vol. 629(8013), pages 837-842, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:629:y:2024:i:8013:d:10.1038_s41586-024-07354-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07354-8
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