Extinction of mammoths not caused by over-hunting

Posted on Saturday, May 13 2006 @ 15:35 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

Scientists now believe the extinction of the mammoth and other large mammals in North America wasn't caused by over-hunting but by a climate change:

A study involving radiocarbon dating of human and animals has raised doubts about an earlier hypothesis regarding the mass extinction that is believed to have happened more than 10,000 years ago. Dale Guthrie of the University of Alaska in Fairbanks compiled the radiocarbon dates for the fossils of bison, moose, mammoth, large horses (named Equus ferus) and humans and found the results pointing to climate changes as responsible for the extinction.

In an interview yesterday, the arctic biologist said he believed that “climate would have reduced the number considerably”.

You can read more details over here.

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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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