Palaeolithic extinctions and the Taurid Complex

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the Taurid Complex debris from a large comet caused a Palaeolithic extinction event around 12900 BP, linking celestial impacts to climate change and regional impact hazards.

Contribution

It introduces the hypothesis that the Taurid Complex is the debris of a large comet responsible for a Palaeolithic extinction event and discusses its implications.

Findings

The Taurid Complex includes at least 19 bright near-Earth objects.

A large comet impact around 12900 BP likely caused a Palaeolithic extinction.

Sub-kilometre bodies in meteor streams pose significant impact hazards.

Abstract

Intersection with the debris of a large (50-100 km) short-period comet during the Upper Palaeolithic provides a satisfactory explanation for the catastrophe of celestial origin which has been postulated to have occurred around 12900 BP, and which presaged a return to ice age conditions of duration ~1300 years. The Taurid Complex appears to be the debris of this erstwhile comet; it includes at least 19 of the brightest near-Earth objects. Sub-kilometre bodies in meteor streams may present the greatest regional impact hazard on timescales of human concern.