DRI's Erick Robinson, Ph.D., an associate research professor of climate and archaeology, has contributed to a new study published in Nature. This research represents the first global-scale comparison of human resilience to environmental and cultural disturbances over millennia. It compiles decades of work by archaeologists and environmental scientists who gathered extensive datasets from around the world.
"This work sets a new foundation for using past histories of human social-ecological systems to help better understand resilience strategies for contemporary environmental and social challenges," said Robinson. He added that "environmental and social disturbances are a normal part of being human on planet earth." These disruptions provide opportunities for cooperation and improvement in social-ecological systems, aiding adaptation to future challenges. Robinson emphasized the importance of land use choices across ecosystems in mediating the ability to withstand such challenges.
The study highlights that disturbances play a significant role in enhancing the resilience of survivor populations throughout history. The research analyzed how quickly past populations recovered from extreme events like volcanic eruptions, warfare, colonialism impacts, and aridification. It found that frequent disturbances increased both the ability to withstand and recover from them.
Dr. Philip Riris, lead author and Senior Lecturer in Archaeological and Paleoenvironmental Modelling at Bournemouth University, explained: "We think that experiencing a disturbance leads to a population experiencing some sort of learning as a result, which led to being more prepared the next time." Frequent disturbances paradoxically helped maintain constant long-term growth rates despite temporary or local declines.
"It could also be that those with pre-existing technologies, adaptations, and social structures that were useful when a disturbance hit were better able to weather it," Dr. Riris noted. Population crashes and recoveries have historically lasted decades or centuries, with median durations of 98 years or more.
The study found that land use strongly influenced disturbance rates; farming and herding societies experienced heightened population decline rates but were generally more resilient overall. An international team collated over 40,000 radiocarbon dates from existing studies covering regions from the Arctic to the tropics for this analysis.
Dr. Riris stated: "The ability to absorb shocks and recover after crises is critical to the wellbeing and continued existence of all human societies." He noted that archaeology is uniquely positioned to address these issues due to its long-term perspective on human societies.