Primitive Tribe Of Ancient Natives Wearing Animal Skins. Shutterstock | The Daily Galaxy
New genetic research has uncovered a shocking event buried deep in our evolutionary past — a near-total extinction of the human species. According to a groundbreaking study, our ancient ancestors went through a population bottleneck so severe that only about 1,280 individuals remained alive. That’s a 98.7% drop in population, lasting for over 100,000 years.
This dramatic collapse likely occurred during the early Pleistocene, over 800,000 years ago. Scientists believe massive environmental stressors — including extreme glaciation, volcanic activity, and long-lasting droughts — decimated early human populations. The survivors likely clung to life in isolated pockets, shaping the genetic story we all carry today.
This long-hidden disaster left a lasting fingerprint in our DNA. One of the strangest genetic events in human evolution — the fusion of two chromosomes that became chromosome 2 — is believed to have happened during this period. That fusion is one of the main genetic differences between humans and other great apes.
As the climate stabilized and humans discovered tools like fire, population levels began to recover. But the scars of that ancient bottleneck still influence our genome today, affecting everything from diversity to disease resistance. We are, in a very real sense, the descendants of survivors.
This discovery reshapes the narrative of human origins. Instead of a steady rise, our journey was nearly cut short by forces far beyond our control. And yet, against all odds, those few individuals sparked a comeback that would one day spread humanity across the planet.
New DNA evidence shows humanity came terrifyingly close to extinction — with just 1,280 survivors for 100,000 years.
https://www.thebrighterside.news/post/humans-almost-went-extinct-930000-years-ago-study-finds-2/