When Humans Vanished From Britain for 15,000 Years

130,000 years ago, humans appear to have vanished from Britain, with the archaeological record showing no evidence of people anywhere. Why did they disappear? Where did they go? And why did they come back?
Thank you to Emilia and Quinn for writing and presenting this episode!
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Sources:
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_an...
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-ol...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mousterian
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheulean
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levallo...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/p...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
www.newscientist.com/article/...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabun_Cave
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teshik-...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amud_1
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas...
edition.cnn.com/2020/07/17/wo...
www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073...
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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eemian
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0:00 - Introduction
0:56 - The animals of the Ipswichian
8:32 - Which human species would have been alive at the time?
11:12 - The mystery of the missing humans
13:23 - First hypothesis
14:57 - Second hypothesis
17:43 - Third hypothesis
19:38 - Conclusion

[@loserinasuit7880]

The classic British past time, leaving Britain.

[@pencilpauli9442]

I thought it was leaving Europe.

[@stephenghudson6179]

These are both great digs. I appreciate alot.

[@Crocy]

I think you mean queueing to leave Britain 😜

[@ShamanKish]

They left for better land, Doggerland 🤭

[@Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-db2ff]

Past time only makes sense in this specific context

[@Pentecopterus]

Why did they come back Indeed

[@ColaSpandex]

You've never heard of the first brexit?

[@skrotosd]

Man you beat me on time

[@SenorTucano]

For the benefits

[@nuance9000]

Needed a job and it's convenient. Full of spam jobs though 😂😅

[@riccapucho]

For the balmy weather.

[@cipaisone]

Coincidentally, a large increase of humans found in Ibiza in the same period.

[@RyanBright-wg1yk]

Human tools suddenly appeared in droves around Benidorm & Amsterdam.

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

I worked in Ipswich once. Nobody will convince me to go back!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Bejuco Costa Rica is like that for me 😂

[@straingedays]

Learned more here in 20 minutes about ancient British Animals & Neanderthals, than from watching 20 years of Time Team. Bravo for your excellent narration & video !!

[@vintagelady1]

Agreed!

[@romanelli9999]

Emilia is such a delight. Always nice to see her presenting one of your videos.

[@Paul_C]

Sure, bound to leave when the time is right...

[@ogrejd]

Wait... So the hippo being the royal animal for Ankh-Morpork wasn't just (though still mostly, obviously) Terry Pratchett being extremely silly, but because hippos used to be in London? Huh. :)

[@gobblinal]

Pterry was extremely well read so he would probably have known about all this really cool history of Britain and incorporated at least some of it into his writings.

[@ColaSpandex]

This also explains the three lions. 😂

[@kevinricherson888]

I was about to make a similar comment but I couldn't remember how to spell ankh...

[@ambds1975]

He was a global treasure, wasn't he.

[@greensteve9307]

GNU Sir Terry Pratchett

[@AifDaimon]

a video covering the evolution of deer would be good

[@elr5475]

I’m interested in the smallest deer with antlers

[@4124V4TA-SNPCA-x]

​@@elr5475 And the deers without antlers are also cool.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

Are you including the evolution of venison too ?

[@larryoak8903]

@@brigidsingleton1596venison used to just mean any game animal hunted in the royal forest, but now it just refers to deer meat. Like how we call cows beef and pigs pork

[@miriam-english]

Kudos Emilia! You have certainly hit your stride. This was wonderful!

[@pencilpauli9442]

My hypothesis is that Neanderthals didn't back across into Britain, because they were having too much fun with horse racing, which would also explain why the horses never came back at that time too. You know that Neanderthal with the gammy leg? Fell off his horse in a steeple chase. Damn it, now I can't get the image of Neanderthals wearing racing silks and riding boots out of my head.

[@Albukhshi]

With how thick the skulls were, I'd have thought helmets were unnecessary :P

[@martinitland]

Aand now that image has invaded my head as well. Thanks a lot!

[@dlaoff7]

You should do less drugs

[@rodchallis8031]

That's it- 'Big Deer' has gotten to Emilia.

[@lucasserafim4152]

i want a video on big deer

[@HLBear]

Yes please.

[@Jay-ho9io]

Same

[@samp9539]

Make a video whilst riding a quadruped? Strange idea.

[@charlesbennett7484]

🦌

[@tipi5586]

Last time I was this early the Cambrian Explosion was merely imminent.

[@KOKO-uu7yd]

👏🏻👏🏻🤣🤣

[@brigidsingleton1596]

Sounds like a pre-emptive strike ...?

[@goyoelburro]

There are so few female narrators. I really appreciate this because it can get my daughter interested in science!! 🙂

[@Gherkin77]

check out pbs eons, has multiple hosts like this show, all of them great for children, many of which are women

[@Thebeezzkneezz.]

She shouldn't need a female voice to get into science, I loved Bill nye and other male scientists, you should teach her to appreciate being taught from anyone not just a female, it isn't science for girls it's just science ❤

[@katnerd6712]

@@Thebeezzkneezz. Little girls will listen to a pretty young woman and see themselves in her more than a handsome young man. That's just one of the differences between boys and girls. Girls tend to want to see an idealized version of themselves before they take an interest in things, boys are less likely to do this. There's nothing wrong with either, it's perfectly natural. Criticizing a girl for having this inclination is like telling to "stop being such a girly, girl!!" :)

[@immortal_shrooms6757]

@@Thebeezzkneezz.my guess it's more so for her to relate to. Seeing a rolemodel on screen is very nice

[@Thebeezzkneezz.]

@immortal_shrooms6757 hmm ok but I never really understood that, As an example Tv shows; as a female myself I easily saw myself in the male characters I saw I didn't need a women to look up to to be inspired, I'm not very much into "science" but i enjoy listening to this stuff while I draw cuz its interesting, hearing a different narrator throws me off sometimes, (no hate to the narrator ♡) but thats just me tho

[@ahistoric_gamer9716]

As a Brit, I don’t blame humans for living Britain for 15,000 years 🤣

[@infernaldaedra]

Those people weren't white either so this completely refutes the claims the crown made for centuries.

[@CTY547]

​@infernaldaedra Humanity was a mistake. The greatest tragedy in world history was the K-Pg extinction.

[@infernaldaedra]

@@CTY547 and ocean extinction events. The late pleistocene extinction is very interesting as well because how recent it is and conflicts with most people's ideas about humanity.

[@YRLCarlos]

​@@CTY547actually no, it would be the Permian-Triassic extinction

[@tdoran616]

@@infernaldaedraThere’s no evidence of skin tone.

[@rhetorical1488]

there are still hippos in London

[@raymondjjohnsonjr363]

Yeah? What offices do they hold?

[@rhetorical1488]

@@raymondjjohnsonjr363 the species Walmartia giganticus is known to feed at many government troughs.

[@kevinricherson888]

Lol

[@YDdraigGoch43]

Hippo is Greek for horse, and seeing as there's horses still trotting through London (often bloody and crazed), then technically there are hippos in London 😂

[@bustavonnutz]

@@YDdraigGoch43Sure if we were speaking Greek, but in English everyone will think you were dropped as an infant if you call a Horse a Hippo.

[@orionspur]

8:04 Yes! Would love to hear about giant deer, and others of that... ilk.

[@simonscott5104]

calm down deer🤣

[@MrSirlulzalot]

?

[@brigidsingleton1596]

I've heard of Elkie Brooks, and Hannibal Brookes but not ilk-y ...though milk-y... Hm... Evolution eh?!

[@ubute]

or elk

[@matthewderamus9183]

Emilia, you are the most welcome addition! Your work here us wonderful and fits perfectly with vibe of the channel. Certainly, well done.

[@ihcfn]

Video on large deer please, also love the hippo song and the no at the end. 😁

[@Vickdimonejr]

🔥🔥

[@cognophile]

Isn't 'hippo" Greek for "horse"?

[@dsxa918]

I'm pretty sure it is

[@FerghusCameron]

Hippopotamus basically means water horse last time I've checked.​@@cognophile

[@qwertyuiopgarth]

I believe it was mentioned that Britain at that time was an island. My guess is that maybe the difficulty of getting across the 'English Channel' was just enough that the gene pool of the Neanderthals that made it across was just too small to survive more than a few generations.

[@HLBear]

The flooding between the isles and mainland was covered in the video. 😊

[@qwertyuiopgarth]

@@HLBear Yes....I noted in my comment that they said Britain was an island at the time.

[@bethanysimpson5310]

I love this presenter! So calming and informative. She’s very passionate xx

[@denizen9998]

The brow ridges on some of these hominines are akin to the bills on ballcaps.

[@S-T-E-V-E]

This is such a great channel! Thanks guys! ❤

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Here in America you can see the local versions of hippos, elephants and even land whales, at any Walmart. Around Xmas you can even find them in stampedes 😂.

[@MyKnifeJourney]

Well presented and quite detailed, I look forward to learning more

[@samwill7259]

Calling it the "Ipswitchian" makes me imagine the entire span of time taking place in like, a weirdly modern Ipswich. Which, damn yea if I was stuck in Suffolk for 15,000 years I'd go extinct first too

[@charlesdu84]

Love your narration! 💛

[@cro-magnoncarol4017]

I knew Hippos used to live in Europe, but I never knew the modern species ranged outside of Africa...

[@brigidsingleton1596]

It's probably just as well humans were not living here amidst hippos of that period... Hippos being so dangerous an' all?!😮

[@cro-magnoncarol4017]

@@brigidsingleton1596 I mean, technically us Homo sapiens have been living with Hippos since day one since we evolved in Africa.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

@@cro-magnoncarol4017 As the only places I visit these days (via Hospital Transport - ambulances etc) are: University Hospital Lewisham (blood clotting / Warfarin levels checks) Guy's (kidney failure, pre-dialysis procedures, fistula creation & blood flow scans, plus Hep B. Vaccinations, bloods, weight, oxygen levels checks etc) St.Thomas' (post-op cataract surgery checks, diabetic / oedema on retinas, eye care etc) ... I'm not really au fait regarding the interaction between hippo life, & humans... Hence, I must take your word for what is or isn't / aren't the technicalities regarding those subjects. Thank-you for your informative, informal info. 🦛🤔🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️🇬🇧🖖

[@refindoazhar1507]

​@@cro-magnoncarol4017If what i know is correct, these hippos might be even easier to kill than the african one, as they are not well adapted to fighting human.

[@refindoazhar1507]

Edit: i haven't watched the video when making the comment, apparently they are african hippos that only recently migrated up, so probably are quite well adapted to fighting humans. My youtube is somewhat bugged and doesn't allow me to make edit

[@insanocrazedman2667]

Thumbs up here for a giant deer video.

[@semaj_5022]

Really fascinating video! I'd love to see more like this in the future, as well as that giant deer video please!

[@mlb4062]

Yes! I would like to learn more about deer types. Thank you.🦌

[@raymondjjohnsonjr363]

Look up sabertooth deer, they are a real thing. Supposedly from Siberia to the Himalayas. Also called musk deer.

[@megapangolin1093]

Megaceros- Irish Elk, with 12 antlers. Amazing beast.

[@BrainWeevil]

An intriguing puzzle you've presented us with, Emelia! Thank you for this interesting information, and your engaging presentation.

[@therealzilch]

Another typically fascinating and informative video. Thanks from rainy Vienna (there were mammoths here too), Scott

[@PaulJohn01]

9:21 OMG 😮😮 Thank you for correctly pronouncing Happisburgh !!!

[@mellon4251]

I like Emilia's "lively" style of presentation, with the smiles and such👍😃

[@patreekotime4578]

Yes to giant deer video! Good to see Emilia getting to present in her specialization!

[@anniealexander9911]

I looooooooooooved this video so so much!! This has to be my hands down favourite video of the year. I have found it difficult to find YT videos on prehistory prior to about the last glacial maximum. I want to know what was going on (&maps, maps, maps) during previous glacial and interglacial periods, (and I'm going to get these numbers wrong but...) 4.2K event, the 8 point something K event. As a Scot I'd like to know about 1st evidence of human habitation in Scotland and Ireland. Love that map with Scandinavia as an island during the Ipswichian

[@velvetgoldmine4300]

Fantastic video! I would definitely love to see more like it! I would also love a video about large deer :)

[@electra424]

Great video!! Also, I would love to see that giant deer video you mentioned 👀

[@janpenaluna5639]

I really enjoyed your presentation. 😊 I look forward to more. 😊👍

[@warspiteschannel4817]

Loved it. More please!

[@bobjackson4720]

Beautifully narrated.

[@Andy_Babb]

Ohhhhh I just wish it was longer lol great video!

[@janetd5317]

Very interesting...thanks for the video..

[@dantastic6262]

Great work 👍

[@kirsiselei8703]

Yea, more like these videos(aswell as anykind) Thx for makeing these. Greetings from 🇫🇮❤️

[@DS-xg9kf]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@greensteve9307]

I love that you break character on occasion.

[@mikehart5619]

I think that the muddle in the middle is a fascinating time of human evolution. Excellent video.

[@user-el8in2rm2e]

Elephants and rhinos being in England is amazing. Do you hear about never would’ve known about this.

[@brycevining4500]

to answer the question near the end, I would love to see more videos like this!

[@ShadyLife101]

As a New Englander it’s always fun to hear examples of why our region’s name is right on the nose. “Hampshire”

[@amniote69]

Yes, please! I loved this and would really appreciate similar videos.

[@markbishop5044]

All in all a great video, especially the classification of MI Stages.

[@mattflamenco]

Great video, more please.

[@charlesbennett7484]

Very informative and entertaining video! Also, I'd love to see a big deer video. 🦌👍

[@badmonkey244]

I had no idea about any of this. This was super interesting

[@rnbnatl]

More Emilia please. Thanks. 🙂

[@infowarriorone]

Very interesting. Hippos in England, wow. I had no idea.

[@user-it7lf7kk8m]

So 4-6 degrees warmer than now, no humans. I blame the hippos snd badgers

[@Toxicpoolofreekingmascul-lj4yd]

Probably it was their farts. They ate tons of beans.

[@CrimsonFeatherz]

Thank you!! Would like a giant deer video in fact!

[@palemale2501]

I would follow it better with a constant timeline from past to present, all maps oriented north. Maybe start with a quick broad summary timeline of the glaciers appearing receding appearing receding, and showing the coasts changing but superimpose the current UK coast. Then break it down more slowly and in depth from ancient times forward

[@rh3ttj]

Commenting to say I would indeed like a video on big deer!

[@punditgi]

Fascinating! 🎉😊

[@user-el8in2rm2e]

Good info thank you.

[@davidwhelan1545]

Having helped excavate a mammoth tooth on Dover beach a few years ago, which was about 8000 years old, your film fills me with questions! Really enjoyed this.

[@dianacoles1017]

I think you've got the date wrong.

[@happytoday333]

Really interesting. Thanks.

[@user-qv9hb4kp9f]

…lots of interesting information in this video… thank you!

[@declanmurphy417]

love the narration🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@Flakmagnet1701]

They really need to have a word with whoever gets to decide what these periods of time are called. Really..they need sorting out!

[@Hoboranger]

Big deer video please! Thanks for a great video!

[@mikesully7212]

great video : )

[@AwesomeFish12]

Honestly a video about big deer sounds fun. I mean, who doesn't like Elk?

[@Shaden0040]

Yes I'd love to see a video on deer of a hall sizes. thank you for offering to make such a video.

[@aniksamiurrahman6365]

Great video. Sounds like you caught cold.

[@craigfreeman777]

Love the song at the end

[@tsaicio]

Emilia, I want more! Greetings from Poland. Please add something about Doggerland!

[@chasbegley3886]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@patrickvondanzig4756]

Glad to see Emila again. Ben and Doug of course I like to see you too. 🙂

[@bee_whisper]

This is actually fascinating and makes me think why isn't this taught in schools more

[@brigidsingleton1596]

People either know about it but are less accomplished in Teaching... Or can Teach, but don't have sufficient knowledge on the subject...?

[@AndrewTBP]

This is postgraduate paleontology.

[@yepits2675]

a video on big deers and such would be great!!!

[@EricKingOfScots]

I politely demand the big deer video. Please and thank you.

[@klarname_online9356]

Yes more of these vids!

[@TRabbit1970]

Something similar happened in conic sliver of the east of Canada and much of the east of the United States, around the end of the ice age. Human activity disappeared for somewhere around 2000 years from those regions, when people from the west and southwest moved into these regions where they’ve been ever since.

[@PJV00]

Fascinating. I am American and so the ice age education I have only encompasses the USA, some of Canada, and Russia + East Asia because of the land bridge. I’ve never been exposed to any information about Britain’s ice age. I’m loving it!

[@MetastaticMaladies]

A video on Megaloceros (Irish Elk) would be great.

[@sharonsloan]

It is possible some humans did enter Britain, but not enough to repopulate it, so dying out in a few generations.

[@darthcheney7447]

Great job, Emilia. Fascinating. Hippos in Trafalgar Square.

[@megapangolin1093]

Boxgrove is in West Sussex. I have encountered several Heidelbergensis living there, from the way they drive. Otherwise good, informative video.

[@TorvusVae]

I would love a video about megadeer!

[@surewhynot2156]

Yes more content like this.

[@thomaszaccone3960]

Awesome!

[@VijaySuryaAditya]

Just didn't fossilize so readily. Enjoyed that!

[@michellebell5092]

Extremely interesting and informative. I’m still studying pre history ( so bored with modern history) but Hippos In London, that’s hilarious, I’m going to think about as I travel around London.

[@Myriad727]

You have my vote for Big Deer!

[@ZoeKitten84]

A video on deer would be cool

[@StraightWhiteGuy33]

This video had no business being this fascinating

[@MrChristianDT]

Maybe the flooding event in the English channel created such a intergenerational trauma & misunderstanding of what was happening & why that they were scared to go there for a long time?

[@declanmurphy417]

hello from Ireland lovely presentation more of these please

[@christybyrne5195]

She arrogantly uses British Isles, Britain, United Kingdom , England, interchangeably-------Meaning of course, ENGLAND! Being in Ireland, U should strongly Object to this LIE!

[@declanmurphy417]

@@christybyrne5195 don't be ridiculous lovely narration and correct

[@christybyrne5195]

@@declanmurphy417 NOT correct!

[@declanmurphy417]

@@christybyrne5195absolutely correct

[@christybyrne5195]

@@declanmurphy417 Not correct!

[@HiTechKeema]

8:22 Slight correction there - it was P. spelaea not P. leo that occured there. Cave lions were able to live in the warmer climate too. African lions are unknown from Britain outside captive specimens.