Did Neanderthals Witness the Campanian Ignimbrite Eruption?

The Campanian Ignimbrite eruption and Heinrich Event Four significantly shaped the trajectory of human societies during the Last Glacial Period, serving as stressors and catalysts for innovation and adaptation. The eruption, one of the most powerful in the Northern Hemisphere, caused a “volcanic winter” that disrupted ecosystems, food chains, and human settlements. Coupled with ongoing glacial conditions, it prompted widespread population displacements and environmental changes, which drove technological and cultural innovations. The environmental crises triggered by these events forced humans to develop new tools, adapt subsistence strategies, and reorganize their social structures. These adaptations are evident in archaeological records, where Upper Paleolithic cultures, like the Aurignacian, displayed greater resource diversification, use of composite tools, and symbolic behaviors. Personal adornments and art gained prominence as a means of identity formation and social cohesion under heightened stress and population pressures. While the eruption and associated cooling played a significant role in altering landscapes and ecosystems, they were not the sole drivers of the extinction of Neanderthals. Evidence suggests Neanderthals and modern humans coexisted before the eruption, and their extinction likely resulted from a complex interplay of environmental pressures, competition, and demographic changes. Modern humans’ adaptability and small, mobile populations likely gave them an edge in surviving these crises. The eruption’s effects were not uniform across regions. Proximity to the volcanic source determined the extent of disruption, with some areas experiencing long-term depopulation and others showing resilience. In many cases, cultural transitions were not abrupt but represented “change within continuity,” as existing Middle Paleolithic traits evolved under stress into more specialized Upper Paleolithic traditions. Ultimately, these events underscored the resilience and adaptability of human societies. The crises accelerated cultural evolution, favoring innovative and flexible groups while eliminating maladaptive ones. This period of environmental and societal challenges shaped human history and fostered long-term progress and transformation. references https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51546-9 https://doi.org/10.1029/139GM20 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2008.08.012 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0065839