Did a Magnetic Field Reversal Doom Neanderthals?

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Did a Magnetic Field Reversal Doom Neanderthals?

A Neanderthal expert weighs in on a new theory that proposes a swap in the planet’s poles triggered a climate catastrophe that killed off our evolutionary cousins.

ANNA GOLDFIELD / 4 MAR 2021

I remember exactly where I was when I first learned about magnetic field reversals: sitting in a lab as an undergraduate student in a geoarchaeology class. I knew that our planet was essentially a huge magnet, thanks to the motion of molten metals in its outer core. But the idea that the Earth’s magnetic fields could become unmoored and wander, or reverse altogether, was alarming.

I had questions in mind that I was too embarrassed to ask out loud: Would I notice if it happened? Would we all die? Would fridge magnets still work?

I suspect many people are similarly surprised and full of questions—which is probably why news stories about magnetic field reversals do so well.

Two weeks ago, a paper was published in the journal Science claiming that a magnetic field reversal may have had something to do with the demise of Neanderthals. A quick Google search of the terms “magnetic field” and “Neanderthals” turns up multiple pages of dramatically titled hits from news outlets, including this gem from The U.S. Sun “MAGNETIC MADNESS: Magnetic catastrophe ‘that wiped out Neanderthals’ is due to happen AGAIN, scientists warn.”

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