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?"
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