Teleporting Humans Back 3000 Years or 30,000 Years: The Grim Realities

Imagine a world where every human was teleported back 3000 years or 30,000 years into the past. What would happen if this sudden change were to occur? Would most die within a year, as predicted, or could a few manage to survive the harsh conditions of the era?

Die Off in the First Year

According to various estimates, around 90% of the population would perish within the first year of teleporting back 3000 years. Only a small percentage would survive, but their lives would be significantly more challenging. The estimated population in 1400 AD was about 400 million, with primitive medieval food production and limited survival skills. It is highly likely that the remaining population of 10 million would die of starvation, as these ancient survival skills were not widely possessed.

Surviving the Harsh Conditions of the Stone Age

Even a few million individuals might survive, including those trained in survival techniques, soldiers, and others with specialized skills. The new environment would be extremely challenging, with no modern conveniences. The cold climate, lack of clothing, medicine, and medical knowledge would be daunting. Cannibalism might become necessary to ensure survival. Most knowledge would likely be lost, as there were no means to document it, and people were focused on day-to-day survival.

The Impact of 30,000 Years in the Ice Age

Up to 30,000 years ago, the Earth was in the middle of an Ice Age, with much of the Northern Hemisphere covered in ice sheets several miles thick. If humans were teleported during this period, the vast majority would perish immediately due to the crushing ice or the lack of food and shelter. Even if humans managed to land on top of the ice, the harsh conditions would still result in their demise within days to weeks.

Ancient Food and Survival Skills

Beyond the immediate perils of the ice-bound world, the lack of domesticated plants and animals would make survival even more difficult. Only a few species, such as dogs and possibly some foxes, were domesticated. Pastoral practices would be impossible, and many essential survival skills, such as carpentry, would be rare. The best survivors would be stone-age tribes in the Amazon and Southeast Asia, as they were already adept at surviving in challenging environments.

The Predictions and Realities

Based on historical knowledge, my predictions indicate that a catastrophic die-off would likely occur. Modern humans, accustomed to urban and technological comforts, would struggle to survive in a world without indoor plumbing, gas furnaces, air conditioning, fast food, and grocery stores. Even simple tools like sharp sticks and basic survival skills would be essential.

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, survival would be even more challenging, as much of the region would be covered in ice. The lack of food, shelter, and medical care would make the situation dire. Additionally, the presence of large predators, such as dire wolves, cave bears, and sabre-toothed cats, would pose a significant threat. Human-led survival would be highly unlikely without the cooperation of any remaining hominids.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Teleporting humans back to ancient times or the Ice Age would likely result in a massive decline in the population. Survival would be challenging, and only those with advanced survival skills and specialized knowledge would have a chance. The harsh conditions and lack of modern tools and technologies would make it nearly impossible for most humans to adapt.