Around 12,000 years ago, a catastrophic event devastated many ancient civilizations, leaving researchers puzzled about its cause. Recently, scholars have shed light on a significant discovery related to the Abu Hureyra archaeological site in northern Syria. This site holds the earliest evidence of human agricultural activity, dating back approximately 13,000 years.
After studying the remains at Abu Hureyra, researchers found microspheres of molten glass, nanodiamonds, and traces of suessite, a rare mineral on Earth but common in meteorites. Additionally, they detected minerals indicative of asteroids, such as chromium, iron, nickel, sulfides, titanium, platinum, and iridium. The high temperatures required to form these glass microspheres, above 2200 °C, surpass what natural Earthly processes can achieve.
James Kennett, a geology professor, emphasized that such extreme temperatures could only result from a cosmic impact. It is believed that a celestial body, possibly a comet, disintegrated near Abu Hureyra, causing widespread destruction without leaving a crater. This event likely led to the sudden disappearance of the population at the site.
The presence of glass microspheres and unusual mineral deposits globally suggests a series of comet impacts occurred within a short period, triggering catastrophic explosions and potentially initiating a mini ice age known as the Younger Dryas. The sheer speed and fragmentation of comets create a higher likelihood of devastating airbursts compared to asteroids.
The impact at Abu Hureyra is just one example of numerous impacts that spanned over 14,000 km in the Earth’s northern and southern hemispheres. These findings emphasize the destructive power of cosmic collisions and the significant impact they can have on our planet’s history. The Abu Hureyra catastrophe serves as a stark reminder of the Earth’s vulnerability to celestial events and the potential for future catastrophic impacts.
