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What did humans look like 10,000 years ago?

Published in Human Anthropology 2 mins read

10,000 years ago, human appearance varied across different regions; for European males, the average height was approximately 5 feet 4 inches.

Human Height 10,000 Years Ago

The archaeological record provides some insights into human physical characteristics during this period.

  • Height:
    • European males: Around 162.5cm (5 ft 4 inches). This is based on skeletal remains and other archaeological evidence. The provided reference indicates a significant height reduction occurred around this time.

Factors Influencing Human Size 10,000 Years Ago

Several factors are believed to have influenced human physical characteristics around 10,000 years ago:

  • Global Climatic Change: Significant climatic shifts could have impacted food availability and nutritional intake, potentially leading to a decrease in average human size.
  • Adoption of Agriculture: While agriculture provided a more reliable food source, it often led to a narrower range of nutrients compared to hunter-gatherer diets. This could have contributed to a reduction in stature.

Regional Variations

It's crucial to understand that the appearance of humans 10,000 years ago wasn't uniform across the globe. The 162.5cm height applies specifically to European males, and other populations would have exhibited different characteristics based on genetics, environment, and lifestyle. More specific data is needed to comment on other populations.

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