Humans thrive during a volcano winter 70 K years ago in south Africa

Approximately 74 thousand years ago (ka), the Toba caldera

erupted in Sumatra. Since the magnitude of this eruption was

first established, its effects on climate, environment and humans

have been debated1. Here we describe the discovery of microscopic

glass shards characteristic of the Youngest Toba Tuff—ashfall

from the Toba eruption—in two archaeological sites on the south

coast of South Africa, a region in which there is evidence for early

human behavioural complexity. An independently derived dating

model supports a date of approximately 74 ka for the sediments

containing the Youngest Toba Tuff glass shards. By defining the

input of shards at both sites, which are located nine kilometres

apart, we are able to establish a close temporal correlation between

them. Our high-resolution excavation and sampling technique

enable exact comparisons between the input of Youngest Toba Tuff

glass shards and the evidence for human occupation. Humans in

this region thrived through the Toba event and the ensuing full

glacial conditions, perhaps as a combined result of the uniquely

rich resource base of the region and fully evolved modern human

adaptation.

doi:10.1038/nature25967

"But might there have been populations from previous excursions out of Africa etc. What about the people who made water crossings 800-1m years ago to the Island of Flores? They must have been advanced with language, social and some technical skills to do that. Was the so-called winter global?"