Life During the Ice Age

Life During the Ice Age

For humanity, the ice age represents a shift that was occurring with life on Earth. What was happened was the planet became gradually cooler, causing large ice caps to form at the poles. They would then move southward, covering millions of square miles. For example, during the last ice age, the glaciers would move as far south as Chicago. The sheet of ice would cover the city and the entire surrounding area, as it was one to two miles thick. (Holman 1 -15) This is important, because the vast sheets of ice would radically alter life on Earth as we know it, by causing temperature shifts of: twenty degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, this would change the way that a host of plants and animal species would live during this time. To fully understand what life was like requires: examining how the ice age would change life on the planet and the way that humans were able to adapt to these changes. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights as to how life would change during this major geological event.

How the Ice Age would Change Life on the Planet?

Throughout the entire history of the plant, ice ages have frequently occurred, with a total of 24 taking place over the last 2.5 million years. The general pattern is that there would be period of cooling that could last for a significant amount of time (i.e. 10 thousand or 20 thousand years). At which point, the temperatures of the planet would begin to increase. This is called the interglacial period that would involve a retreating of the ice. Then, at some point in the future, another ice age would begin. ("Ice Ages") This is important, because it shows how the ice ages are frequent occurrences that play a role in determining temperatures on the planet (having an impact on life).

Yet, when you examine this idea a little closer, it is clear that the ice age would have dramatic impact upon the various geological features and weather patterns of the planet. Where, it would create various geological formations and ice free zones that would cause a significant amount of migration. Evidence of this can be seen with the North American land bridge. This was a land mass that connected Alaska to Siberia (crossing the entire Bearing Strait). What happened was as the ice began to move south, it would begin to absorb large amounts of water. This was enough, that it would lower the ocean levels by about 20 feet. At which point, various land masses would appear in different areas (the most notable being the one in the Bearing Strait). This would allow humans to be able to cross over from Asia into North America. ("Amblin to Alaska") This is significant, because it shows how the ice age would help to allow humans and animal life to move to other continents freely. Over the course of time, these human setters who crossed the landmass would become Native Americans. ("Ice Ages")

At the same time, the cooler conditions in the North would force humans and wildlife to seek out regions where the weather was more hospitable. In many of the tropical regions, the effects of the ice age were less extreme, as it would create the equivalent of many ice free zones that would have hospitable conditions. In most cases, this meant that these places would have similar climates to those of a savannah. As the tropical rainforests, would often have extreme periods of rain, followed by times of little to no moisture. This would create, a shift in the migration patterns of humans, as the wet and dry seasons would provide them with more consistency. At which point, they could begin growing various crops in these areas and establishing communities. As the zones would often have large amounts of plants and wildlife that would could help provide an additional source of food. This is important, because it shows how the migration that would take place; is because of the patterns that were occurring in animals. Where, they would gradually move southward, because of the more favorable weather conditions. This would have an impact upon humans, who would follow these migration patterns to these ice free zones.

Another way that life would change is with various natural resources that were left behind by the retreating glaciers. In this situation, as the glaciers began to retreat they would leave large amounts of mineral deposits spread out over vast areas. At the same time, there would large bodies of fresh water that were left in many different regions. When you put these different elements together, this means that the early humans could use the natural resources to help improve their daily lives. While the various fresh water deposits would serve as source of water and food for many different areas. (Holman 1 -15)

When you step back and look at the different pieces of information, it is clear that the ice age would have a profound impact upon life in the future. As it would allow humans / animals to travel to: regions that were once impossible (because of higher sea levels), it provided ice free zones for all life forms and it supplied various additional natural resources. This is important, because it highlights how all life would begin to migrate further south, to avoid the cooler weather conditions in the north. As a result, the ice age would change the migration patterns of all life forms, by providing them with the resources they needed in ice free zones.

The Way Humans were able to Adapt to these Changes

The ice age would have devastating effects for all life on Earth. This is because the changes that were taking place; would create a shift in host of different ecosystems. In the north these effects would be even more pronounced, as many regions that were once considered to be habitable for humans would quickly turn into frozen wastelands. As the winters would become considerably longer (eliminating any kind of possible growing season in these regions). This meant that humans who did not have any additional protection against the elements (i.e., furs, coats etc.) would face the adverse effects of the cold weather. As it would help to increase the number of deaths mainly attributed to hypothermia. This is when the body will become so cold that it will eventually shut down, resulting in death. At the same time, the people in these regions would often face possible famines, as they are unable to have access to any kind of food. In many areas of Asia and Europe, this would mean that large segments of the population would face the possibility of a mass extinction. Given these harsh conditions, many humans would naturally migrate south in an effort to avoid the harsh conditions in northern regions. A good example of this can be seen with a discovery that scientists recently made, off of the coast of South Africa. Where, a small island has been shown to be one the last refuges of humans during a brutal ice age that took place 195 thousand years ago. (Frith) This is an important finding, because researchers were able to corroborate that a mass extinction of life did occur in many areas around the world. As a result, various life forms began to migrate from Europe to Africa in an effort to escape the harsh conditions. The findings also confirmed why the human DNA is less diverse in comparison with other animal spices, as they were subject to various changes in the elements. (Frith) What all of this shows, is that the harsh conditions would force humans to begin migrating south as a matter of survival. Where, they had to go to regions that were more hospitable in order to avoid the harsh weather conditions in the north.

A New Era Begins

Once humans arrived in many different regions of the south, they would then face a change in lifestyle and how they would survive. Where, humans would begin to have to use tactics and strategies that would foster these objectives at all times. As a result, the period of time when that the ice age would occur is often referred to as Paleolithic era. This is when humans would go through dramatic changes that would have an impact upon how they would live their lives in the future. As this would create a number of different changes the most notable include: in the social structure, the use of various types of technology (tools) and a change in the overall diet. ("Paleotlithic")

When you look at how the ice age would have an impact upon the social structure, it is clear that it would force people to live in close proximity with one another. Where, they would work together to improve the lives of everyone, by sharing various roles and responsibilities. This would have an impact upon social relations in the future, as these different groups would form the basis of various tribe and nations. As they share a common bond in the underlying struggles and challenges that they are wrestling with. This is significant, because it shows how the ice age would force people to work together, to overcome the various weather related issues that are having an impact upon their lives. ("Paleolithic")

The use of various types of tools / technology would change the way humans would live their lives. This is because, the ice age would force everyone to utilize new survival techniques that were often not focused on. Prior to the ice age, most humans were considered to be hunter and gathers. This meant that they would often rely on killing various types of animals, as their way of providing food and clothing for themselves. At the same time, humans would often gather various fruits and berries to consume. Once the ice age began this would all change, as the total number of animal species would decline. At which point, the overall supply of food and resources that were utilized in the past would become less. This would force many people to begin to farm various crops in southern areas, as way to augment their food supplies with the traditional hunting and gathering methods. This is important, because it shows how the ice age would take humans and help them to create permanent homes in these areas. Over the course of time, this would cause a shift in the how humans would interact in the world around them, as they would become more focused on agriculture and building stable societies / communities. Once this occurred, it meant that modern civilization would begin to take shape, as this structure would form the foundation for life as we know it. ("Paleolithic")

At the same time, the ice age would help to push humans to develop fire. This is important, because this invention would provide man with: a weapon, tool and a way to keep warm. As a result, this would change life in the future, as fire would help to provide a way of coping with the elements. This is important, because without the use of this tool, the number of people who survived the ice age would be significantly less. ("Paleotlithic")

The overall diet of humans would change during the ice age, as there were less animals and plants to live off of. This would help to force many people to begin growing their own food and the kinds of meals that they would eat. As there was an emphasis of combining the meat from hunting with the various vegetables / fruits, which are providing a more balanced diet. This is important, because it would have an impact upon the lives of the individual, as this diet would help to improve their life expectancy. At the same time, the emphasis on growing various fruits and vegetables would have an impact upon the social structure, by forcing many people to establish permanent locations. This is significant, because it shows how the change in diet would have an impact upon the way many people would live in the future. As they would slowly become more domesticated, resulting in a change in the way they would eat and the kinds of foods that they would consume. ("Paleotlithic")

When you examine these different factors, it is clear that the ice age would have a dramatic impact upon the lives of humans. Where, it would force people to begin moving south, in an effort to avoid the harsh weather conditions that are being experienced in the north. At the same time, this would create a shift in the way many people would live their daily lives. As they no longer were focused on the hunter / gatherer type of lifestyle. Once this began to take place, it meant that an increasing emphasis would occur: in having everyone working together in various groups, the utilization of technology / tools and a change in their diet. These different elements are important, because they would help to establish the basic foundations for modern life. Where, this would move humans away from living a traditional nomadic lifestyle to one that was more settled. As result, it can easily be argued that the changes that occurred from the ice age would establish this social foundation that would be utilized around the world. This is significant, because it shows how the ice age would be an event that would start, based on survival and would augment itself into a change in daily life.

Clearly, life would change dramatically during the ice age. As this event would have a dramatic impact upon all life on earth. Where, the changes in the Earth's temperature would cause it to become very volatile by having variations of 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This is problematic, because it meant that in many areas which are further north, there would be an adverse impact upon them. This would have ripple effects on the entire ecosystem, as various plants and animal life could no longer be able to sustain itself in these areas. To escape these changing conditions, many animals would begin to migrating south; in an effort to find the food and resources they need to survive. This would force humans to follow them to these various ice free zones, as the hospitable climate would allow everyone the ability to find the food and resources the needed. Once this began to take place, it would create a shift in human culture, as the strategies from the past were abandoned for new ideas. This is significant, because it shows how the ice age would serve as an event that would force humans to move to other locations, in an effort to overcome the harsh conditions.