Part 6/9:
Recent studies indicate that a cataclysmic volcanic event around 39,000 years ago released catastrophic ash clouds and altered ecosystems dramatically. The region heavily impacted, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe where Neanderthals primarily resided, saw vegetation collapse, which crippled their food sources and likely led to starvation.
Moreover, even with their robust adaptations against the cold, Neanderthals were confined to specific areas, making them particularly vulnerable in the wake of such an environmental upheaval. The eruption was powerful enough to affect vast regions, and the ash fallout hindered sunlight, compounding the survival challenges faced by Neanderthals.