Challenging the Cradle: Reassessing the Weak Garden of Eden Through Ancient Genomics and Environmental Proxies

This paper critically examines the "Weak Garden of Eden" hypothesis, which posits a recent, severe bottleneck in human population size, using evidence from ancient genomics and environmental proxies. We analyze genomic data from diverse ancient human populations, focusing on patterns of genetic diversity, allele frequencies, and signatures of selection. Simultaneously, we integrate paleoenvironmental data, including climate reconstructions, pollen records, and geological analyses, to assess environmental conditions during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene epochs. By comparing genomic and environmental datasets, we aim to evaluate the plausibility of a global population bottleneck and explore alternative scenarios for human demographic history. Our findings challenge the notion of a single, catastrophic event and suggest a more nuanced picture of regional population fluctuations influenced by environmental changes, technological innovations, and cultural adaptations. This interdisciplinary approach provides a more robust framework for understanding human origins and dispersal.