Uncovering Human Evolution: Climate, Diet, and Neanderthal Resilience

In this episode, Dr. Ana B. Marín-Arroyo, a researcher in human evolution, delves into her work on the resilience of past human groups, focusing on their subsistence strategies and climatic conditions in Eurasia from 200,000 to 3,000 years ago.

Dr. Marín-Arroyo, a Professor of Prehistory, at the University of Cantabria, has worked at various institutions, including the University of Cambridge. Her research group, EvoAdapta, focuses on human evolution and adaptation through time. Her research examines how climate changes and the arrival of Homo sapiens affected Neanderthals. Her European Research Council-funded project, Subsilience aims to uncover the climatic and environmental conditions that influenced the eventual decline of Neanderthals.

The episode explores the diet and lifestyle of late Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens, highlighting their adaptability and resilience. Dr Marín-Arroyo discusses the importance of studying animal bones to understand past human diets and environmental conditions. She shares insights from her research, including the discovery of the "Red Lady" burial in Cantabria (northern Spain), which provided valuable information about our ancestors' diet, health, and genetic makeup 18,000 years ago.

The discussion emphasizes the role of climate change in human evolution and how past climatic conditions can inform our understanding of current and future climate challenges. Dr Marín-Arroyo highlights the importance of sharing scientific knowledge with the public and engaging in outreach activities to make research accessible and relevant.

The episode provides a comprehensive look at Dr Marín-Arroyo's work and its implications for unravelling the past and understanding our future as human beings.

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