On the night of January 15 in the prestigious journal Science published an article by Russian investigators . Scientists have found: a man came to the north of Eurasia 45 thousand. Years ago – on the 15 th. Years earlier than previously thought. Department of Science “Gazety.Ru” spoke with one of the leading authors of the study Vladimir Pitulko and find out what the importance of this study and how long have you been working on the publication.
– Vladimir, today published an article, one of the leading authors of which you are. Can I ask you to explain to people, far from archeology and anthropology, what is its essence and the main conclusion?
– The article describes the latest results obtained in the study of the northern territories and the time of their development man. It describes the two places where they found evidence of the original appearance of ancient people in the Arctic: the remains of animals with signs of exposure to ancient man. The first discovery was made at Cape Sopochnaya Hag at the mouth of the Yenisei River.
This is the body Sopkarginskogo Mammoth (Mammoth Jack) with well-preserved soft tissues.
On the skeletal remains of a mammoth (scapula, ribs and zygomatic bones) were found unmistakable signs of the direct effects of human hands.
The second discovery was made on the river Yana – a bone of a wolf with a lifetime a hole made by a person .
The findings were prodatirovany radiocarbon method, and found that the mammoth and the wolf killed a man 45 thousand. years ago.
This is a very serious extends submission of the time people stay in the Arctic – it increased by 15 thousand. years.
In addition, previously it was thought that the presence of man in this area was limited to the 55th degree of north latitude, and now we see he lived on 72 th degree, I mean Kargu mound. It is clear that in this way we can see a huge expansion of human settlement.
– How long have you been working on the study?
– The two discoveries were made in 2012 with the participation of Alexei Tikhonov of the Zoological Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Over the next two years, we were engaged in obtaining dates (this is a slow process), organized photography, tomography and X-ray examinations – it takes time, too. Then it’s all you need to write, suggest magazine for publication. And then six months, work continued on the publication.
– You said that hunting was not the main reason for the disappearance of the mammoth in Eurasia … What then was the main reason?
– mainly climatic factors. Because the population of mammoths (and other animals) is in a tough, depending on climate change. In unfavorable mammoths times they took refuge in areas where suitable conditions persisted and there experienced similar troubles. The last time, when their numbers declined, mammoths are not lucky:
all areas were inhabited by a man who could find them and kill them. At this stage the person affected their disappearance.
These are the findings of a study on the Siberian mammoths, which recently completed a team led by paleontologist Paul Nikolsky.
– turns there is no dispute among scientists about the death of mammoths?
– The debate is, because some scientists tend to exaggerate the contribution of a factor to the problem of extinction. But, in my opinion, there can be no discussion, because it is the main factor is the climate. And then the people involved in the process, and the anthropogenic contribution was decisive in the fate of mammoths.
– Who do most often hunted in Eurasia Stone Age people?
– All of this is highly variable for periods and territories. If we talk about the early Holocene Siberian Islands, the people there are mainly hunted polar bears and reindeer parked on Zhohovskoy 8 thousand. Years ago. If we are talking about Yana parking (about 30 thousand. Years ago) – the people there are actively killed mammoths, but their main food were bison, horses and again reindeer.
Y Stone Age people had a rich choice, and each new era of diet they have been updated.
– In recent years, in leading scientific journals, a number of articles on antropotsene – a geological era with the level of human activity, which plays an important role in the ecosystem of the Earth. However, many scientists do not believe separate Anthropocene era. What is your opinion about this?
– the Anthropocene in any case can not be considered a separate geological epochs. I am strongly opposed to this idea, because
Now mankind has the ability to destroy itself, but it can not affect the planet in the geological scale.
If the development of human technology reaches the level at which it will be possible to influence global processes, then we can think about allocating a separate Anthropocene era. The desire to allocate a separate Anthropocene era right now – is the desire to assert itself, which was not worth no genuine scientific research.
– How now, just to do science in Russia? In comparison, for example, with Soviet times?
– a good question, and it requires a separate discussion. In short – every time has its pros and cons. In Soviet times, it seems to me, science was given much more attention than it is now.
While certain steps in this direction at the moment – in particular, on the initiative of Vladimir Putin – taken.
In the last ten years, the situation has improved, but in the 1990s it was just catastrophic. But still we have not reached the heights of the organization of scientific activity, as in Soviet times. In my opinion, the Soviet era was much more effective, and in many branches of science we exploit the achievements of the Soviet era. It certainly.
– Another interesting question is: Does draws archeology and anthropology of the younger generation? How can and should attract young people into science?
– This is also a good question for a long conversation. There are young people who work in science. In order to make it more necessary strong support of science itself. The person who comes to science, should be able to dealing with it: to go on an expedition working in the laboratory, to go abroad for an internship.
Furthermore, the scientists do not have to deal with financial problems and to think about their daily bread.
If all these aspects will be all right, the younger generation will come to the science itself, it will not need to involve.
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