12,800 years ago, an extraterrestrial “invader” triggered a catastrophic explosion that devastated the ancient village of Abu Hureyra in Syria, an event that marked a monumental turning point in human history.
In pursuit of clues related to the hypothesis that a cosmic impact caused the Younger Dryas (YD) period, a sudden and devastating ice age, an international team of scientists has uncovered a “treasure trove” at the Abu Hureyra site in Syria.
As reported by Science Alert, the sediment layers at Abu Hureyra reveal a wealth of elements, including plant species from the waning days of Earth’s warmth and the onset of the icy conditions. Valuable data is intricately linked with architectural remains and other remnants that shed light on how ancient humans survived through this sudden climate catastrophe.
A Catastrophic Comet Impact Altered Earth Temporarily and Humanity Permanently – Graphic from SCIENCE ALERT
Furthermore, according to archaeologist Andrew Moore from the University of Rochester, they discovered shock-melted quartz grains, often referred to as “shocked quartz,” clear evidence of an intense explosion that ignited a fiery tempest.
Given the era, this could only represent a cosmic impact, which further research steps determined to be a comet exploding at a relatively low altitude in Earth’s sky.
What accompanied it—such as micro-diamonds, a unique crystal, and tiny silica spherules within the sediment—can only be formed in two ways: either by a nuclear explosion or by a meteorite impact. It’s certain that the technology of humans 13,000 years ago could not have produced them.
It was a harrowing day for the ancient people of Abu Hureyra, as the entire village likely collapsed. But it was their resilience in overcoming the subsequent harsh climate changes that brought about lasting change for humanity.
After that extraterrestrial impact, the people of Abu Hureyra transitioned to farming and animal husbandry, another clear shift that the sediment layers revealed.
Hunter-gatherer lifestyles came to an official end here and possibly in many other parts of the world due to the global reach of the YD impact. It ultimately propelled humanity into an unexpected leap in civilization.