In our new global study, we combine archaeological, genetic, and climate data to reveal how early humans migrated out of Africa over 70,000 years ago. Using advanced modelling, we mapped likely migration routes across Eurasia and the Americas, showing our ancestors followed warm, humid areas near rivers and forests. The findings highlight how climate and environment shaped human expansion, an insight that resonates today as biodiversity loss threatens our ability to adapt and

Over the last 60,000 years, Sahul witnessed the first wave of global megafauna extinctions. The causes have long been debated: climate change, human impact, or a combination of both.We have mapped extinction and human arrival patterns across south-eastern Australia, revealing that in about 80% of the region, humans and megafauna coexisted for millennia. Extinction patterns were best explained by human presence and water access, with arid regions driving additional losses.