In what is described as an astonishing breakthrough, scientists have discovered the world’s oldest, inhabited termite mounds along the Buffels River in Namaqualand in South Africa. These mounds, dating back a staggering 34,000 years, are rewriting our understanding of prehistoric life, climate and carbon storage. The mounds are still inhabited by the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator.
Recent radiocarbon dating has revealed that these mounds are far older than any previously known, with some dating as far back as 34,000 years - older than the iconic cave paintings in Europe and even older than the Last Glacial Maximum, when vast ice sheets covered much of the northern hemisphere.
These ancient mounds are however more than just a historical curiosity; they serve as valuable records of prehistoric climate condition, while they also offer mechanisms to sequester CO2. By studying these mounds, scientists can gain a better understanding of how to combat climate change, utilising nature's own processes for carbon sequestration. Their age, and the insights they provide into ancient ecosystems, thus make them a candidate for global recognition as a natural wonder. They also highlight the importance of preserving our natural world, as these tiny engineers have been shaping our environment for tens of thousands of years.
This all is indeed a reminder of the delicate interplay between climate, environment, and life on earth.
9 июн 2024
