The study, which analyzed 30,000 years of human history, has shown that populations have the ability to resist and recover from frequent disturbances. This enhances their resilience, according to a Nature paper. Philip Riris and colleagues quantified patterns of prehistoric population resistance to disturbances over a 30,000-year period at 16 locations worldwide.

The findings reveal that frequent downturns increase the ability of populations to withstand and recover from disturbances. This effect is influenced by land-use patterns, with farming and herding societies being more vulnerable to crises but also more resilient overall. The study draws parallels with ecology, where natural disturbances are believed to enhance the long-term resilience of ecosystems.

Humanity’s long-term population growth may have been sustained by positive feedback cycles of vulnerability, resistance, and recovery. The study highlights the importance of resilience in shaping human societies throughout history and has implications for future population growth and resilience-building strategies.