The Dispersal of CulturesThe Dispersal of Cultures

Some Event causes the culture to Some Event causes the culture to runaway in random directions.runaway in random directions.

Mechanisms for DispersalMechanisms for Dispersal

Run away from the barbarian hordes with Run away from the barbarian hordes with the big sticksthe big sticks

Run away from diseaseRun away from diseaseNaturally nomadic due to resource Naturally nomadic due to resource

limitationslimitationsResponse to a natural catastropheResponse to a natural catastrophe

One Possible Example

The Black Sea Deluge

The TheoryThe Theory

• After the last Ice Age (12,000 years ago) ended, the climate began to warm and sea level begin to rise (significantly)

• At this time, the Black sea was landlocked (and salt free) and fed by a series of rivers that drained from mountain ranges

• The Black sea was surrounded by various fertile plains which could support farming; also the Black sea was rich in shell fish

The FloodThe Flood

• The peak of the rate of warming (and subsequent rise of sea level) occurred about 7500 years ago.

• Mediterranean Sea reaches a critical level and that pressure collapsed the land barrier and opened up the straits of Bosporus and salty water poured into the Black Sea which rose about 6 inches per day (180 feet in a year) for 2-3 years.

Results

Surface area of the Black Sea increases by about 33% (in about a decade)

Fertile plains flood (with salt water turn into a marsh)

Local population observes the water rising every day and disperse in random directions

Dark blue = Black Sea Level circa 5600 BC. Light Blue is today’s Black Sea

Last Ice Age (~15,000 Years Ago)Last Ice Age (~15,000 Years Ago)

Eventually Glacial Lake Missoula Eventually Glacial Lake Missoula Was Formed from Melting IceWas Formed from Melting Ice

Lake contained about 500 cubic miles of Lake contained about 500 cubic miles of water.water.

Etched Wave Shelves

PNW Analog – The Bretz FloodsPNW Analog – The Bretz Floods

Ice Dam on Glacial Lake Missoula breaks Ice Dam on Glacial Lake Missoula breaks suddenlysuddenly

Topological Flood FeatureTopological Flood Feature

Catastrophe and Culture The Bretz/Missoula Flood(s) was another

post Ice Age deluge that would have catastrophically dispersed any native population in random directions.