The paper Human footprints provide snapshot of last interglacial ecology in the Arabian interior [1]: > Diatom paleoecology and sedimentary analysis indicate t

The paper Human footprints provide snapshot of last interglacial ecology in the Arabian interior [1]: > Diatom paleoecology and sedimentary analysis indicate that Alathar was an oligotrophic (nutrient-poor) and shallow freshwater lake for the majority of its existence. This is consistent with similar-aged nearby freshwater paleolake deposits situated in the southern reaches of a “freshwater corridor” that connected the Arabian interior to the Levant and northeast Africa at times during marine isotope stage 5 (MIS 5; ~130 to 80 ka) > The lake surface is heavily trampled, which probably reflects a dry season during which herbivores congregate around diminishing water supplies, and is consistent with sedimentary evidence for the drying up of the lake at that time. A total of 376 footprints were recorded, of which 177 could be either confidently or provisionally referred to an ichnotaxon. Seven hominin footprints were confidently identified... we argue that H. sapiens was responsible for the tracks at Alathar. > Given their similar orientation, distances from one another, and differences in size, they are interpreted as two, or up to three, individuals traveling in concert. > Elephants, in particular, suggest the regional presence of freshwater sources and substantial plant biomass, while the size of the tracks is suggestive of a species larger than any extant taxon. > Some of the ungulate prints are consistent in shape and size with a giant buffalo, possibly Syncerus, a taxon previously identified at nearby MIS 5 sites. The research paints a wonderful picture of this "freshwater corridor" during the MIS 5 interglacial. The question I have is what caused the ecology to dry out in our own interglacial? Did the Great Rift change enough in 100 kyr to impact the local climate this much? [1] https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/38/eaba8940 https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/38/eaba8940