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The Stone Age Comet: How a Celestial Event Changed the Course of World Culture

Gerald Bell

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Published in The Cycle Of Cosmic Catastrophes: How A Stone Age Comet Changed The Course Of World Culture

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Approximately 12,800 years ago, a comet or asteroid impact near the Laurentide Ice Sheet (present-day Canada) caused a period of intense cold and darkness, leading to the extinction of many large mammals and a major cultural shift in human history. This event, known as the Younger Dryas impact, is one of the most significant events in human prehistory, and its effects are still felt today.

The Impact

The Younger Dryas impact was a cataclysmic event. The comet or asteroid that struck the Earth was estimated to be about 500 meters in diameter, and it exploded with the force of millions of nuclear bombs. The impact created a crater that is now buried under ice in northern Canada, and it sent a cloud of dust and debris into the atmosphere. This cloud blocked out the sun for months, causing a period of intense cold and darkness.

The Cycle of Cosmic Catastrophes: How a Stone-Age Comet Changed the Course of World Culture

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

4.5 out of 5

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The impact also caused a massive release of methane from the melting ice sheet. This methane caused a sharp increase in global temperatures, which led to the melting of glaciers and the rise of sea levels. The resulting floods and landslides caused widespread destruction and displacement of human populations.

The Extinction of the Megafauna

One of the most dramatic effects of the Younger Dryas impact was the extinction of the megafauna, large mammals such as mammoths, mastodons, and saber-toothed cats. These animals were adapted to the cold, grassy steppes that covered much of North America and Eurasia at the time. However, the sudden change in climate caused by the impact wiped out their food sources and made it impossible for them to survive.

The extinction of the megafauna had a profound impact on human cultures. These animals were a major source of food and resources for humans, and their disappearance forced people to adapt to new ways of life.

The Rise of Agriculture

One of the most significant cultural changes that occurred after the Younger Dryas impact was the rise of agriculture. With the megafauna gone, humans had to find new ways to feed themselves. This led to the development of agriculture, the cultivation of plants and domestication of animals.

Agriculture allowed humans to settle down in permanent villages and towns. This led to the development of more complex societies and the rise of civilization. The invention of the plow and the wheel allowed humans to farm more efficiently and transport their goods more easily.

The Spread of Humans

After the Younger Dryas impact, humans began to spread out from their original home in Africa. They migrated to all corners of the globe, eventually reaching the Americas, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

The spread of humans was made possible by the development of new technologies, such as boats and canoes. These technologies allowed humans to travel long distances and settle in new environments.

The Development of Civilization

The rise of agriculture and the spread of humans led to the development of civilization. The first civilizations arose in Mesopotamia and Egypt around 5,000 years ago. These civilizations were characterized by their complex social structures, their written languages, and their monumental architecture.

The development of civilization was a major turning point in human history. It allowed humans to control their environment and build complex societies. It also laid the foundation for the modern world.

The Younger Dryas impact was a cataclysmic event that had a profound impact on human history. It caused the extinction of the megafauna, the rise of agriculture, the spread of humans, and the development of civilization. The effects of this event are still felt today, and it is one of the most significant events in the history of our planet.

The Cycle of Cosmic Catastrophes: How a Stone-Age Comet Changed the Course of World Culture

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

4.5 out of 5