Early Homo Sapiens settle in Arabian Peninsula for first time
The harsh climate prevented much settlement in the Arabian peninsula apart from a small number of urban trading settlements, such as Mecca and Medina.
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Early humans reach and settle South Africa for first time
Southern Africa was first reached by Homo sapiens before 130,000 years ago, possibly before 260,000 years ago.
Y-chromosomal Adam, the most recent common ancestor of all males, is born
In human genetics, Y-MRCA – informally known as Y-chromosomal Adam – is the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) from whom all currently living men are descended patrilineally.
Humans intentionally use adhesives for the first time, perhaps in modern-day Italy
Two stone flakes partly covered in birch-bark-tar were discovered in central Italy. The probable chronology of the stone flakes is compatible with the late Middle Pleistocene.
Humanity learn to make their own fire, kindling a new era of possibility
While early members of the genus Homo had used fire opportunistically for ages (e.g. in the aftermath of a lightning strike), the ability to create it on their own using flint vastly expanded its availability and usefulness.
The Azores are discovered, possibly by Vikings
Although it was traditionally believed that Portuguese explorers were the first humans to arrive on the Azores – an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the Macaronesia region of the North Atlantic Ocean – there is evidence to suggest otherwise. Researchers have discovered that 5-beta-stigmasterol is present in sediment samples from between 700 and 850 C.E. This compound is found in the feces of livestock, such as sheep and cattle, neither of which are native to the islands. Additionally, mice on the Azores were discovered to have mitochondrial DNA suggesting they first arrived from Northern Europe, suggesting that they were brought to the islands by Norwegian Vikings.