57,000-Year-Old “Social Network” Helped Early Humans Survive

Archaeologists studying hunter-gatherer groups in the South Caucasus mountains determined that social connections between groups, not just climate or resources, were crucial for survival between 57,000 and 27,000 years ago. Researchers focused on the dispersal of obsidian, a volcanic rock used for tools, across distances of 40 to 200 kilometers from its source.

The presence of obsidian from the same quarries at distant sites suggests these small groups maintained contact and exchanged materials and knowledge. The team also noted repeating patterns in stone tool craftsmanship across widely separated sites, indicating that techniques were being shared rather than independently developed.

This challenges traditional views of human evolution that prioritize adaptation to physical environments. The study acknowledges that inferring social networks from material artifacts is indirect, as there are no direct records from the Paleolithic period.

However, the evidence suggests cooperation and information sharing were essential for resilience. Understanding these ancient social structures could inform our approach to adapting to current environmental changes.