Excavations in Dmanisi, Republic of Georgia, have uncovered fossil evidence that Homo erectus species were successful hunters. The second hypothesis claims that the Homo erectus migrated to Africa from the region of Eurasia. The first hypothesis is that the species were initially originated in Africa and later dispersed throughout Eurasia, with the ability to exploit the colder regions using fire and tools. There are two hypotheses about the species’ origin. Homo erectus was the first-ever hominid species that widely used fire. Whereas, winter snow cover was quite shallow.Īscent of Man During the Quaternary Period The grasses were very dense and also highly nutritious. In areas that are now Europe and North America, there existed huge grasslands known as the “mammoth steppes” and had a higher productivity rate with greater biomass than the modern grassland. The glacial advancement varied between continents, but approximately 22,000 years ago, glaciers covered about 30 percent of the surface of the earth. However, studies say that the Pleistocene Epoch was much drier and also colder as compared to the present time. The entire Quaternary Period which also includes the present is referred to as an ice age because of the presence of at least one permanent ice sheet i.e. Scientists from all over the world have evidence of more than 60 periods of glacial expansion that was interspersed with briefer intervals of warmer temperatures. The period also saw the rise of a new predator that is known as man.Ĭlimatic Conditions During the Quaternary Period The Quaternary Period has also involved many dramatic climate changes in the planet, which has affected food resources and led to the extinction of many species. The Quaternary Period is one of the very extraordinary changes that took place in the global environment and also the period during which much of human evolution had taken place. The Quaternary is further subdivided into two epochs, the first is the Pleistocene which is up to about 11,700 years ago and the second is Holocene which is about 11,700 years ago to the present day. The quaternary meaning can be understood by the below-given image: The Quaternary, as well as the Tertiary Periods both together, form the Cenozoic Era. It is the Quaternary Period that covers almost the last 2.6 million years up to the present day of the earth.
The Quaternary is a subdivision of geologic time.
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