One of the subjects mariner has focused on during the TV news blackout is anthropology, especially the evolution of various species of humanoids and when the major integrations occurred. A clear example is the disappearance of Neanderthal when the last ice age subsided, the large animals they specialized in hunting for food went extinct, the plant culture shifted, and the seas rose as the ice melted. At the end, cannibalism was practiced and a recent immigrant, Homo sapiens, emerged to dominate Europe.

Stepping back to a larger ancestry, the first humanoid to emigrate from Africa into Europe was Heidelbergensis (700,000 years ago) who eventually evolved into the Neanderthal with the help of Denisovans who occupied Siberia. In fact, several ‘cousin’ humanoids left Africa during this era as the African climate shifted to create the Sahara desert; generally they moved East to occupy Pacific coast regions and Australia..

Fortunately, Homo sapiens developed in southern Africa and developed there for a longer period and did not migrate to the northern hemisphere until 130,000 years ago. They had become something close to the modern Homo sapiens and quickly dominated the older humanoids who also had the disadvantage of losing an ice age, their intended breeding ground.

Stepping back to an even larger transition, These migrations were caused by an European ice age and an African climate change. It looms as a very large question: What will happen to today’s human population if the planet chooses to create a severe global warming? As usual, we sappiens can’t manage ourselves enough to prepare for such a change – a change irrelevant of plutocracy, racism and classism. Oh well, maybe Alexa can conjure something.

Ancient Mariner