Final answer:
The Ice Age was a period of repeated glaciations and interglacials on Earth, driven by changes in orbital variations. It had a significant impact on climate and biodiversity, causing the expansion and retreat of ice sheets. Early humans adapted to the challenges of the Ice Age through tool creation and hunting strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ice Age, also known as the Pleistocene epoch, was a period of time during which there were repeated glaciations and interglacials. The main driving force behind the Ice Age was the variation in Earth's orbit around the sun, resulting in changes in the amount of solar radiation received by the planet. These changes had a significant impact on the climate, causing the expansion and retreat of ice sheets, and shaping the geography of the Earth.
During the Ice Age, large parts of the Earth were covered in ice, particularly in the polar regions and at higher elevations. This had a major influence on the distribution of plants and animals, as well as the overall biodiversity on the planet. Some of the iconic megafauna, such as the woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats, became extinct during this period.
Archaeological evidence suggests that early human populations also faced challenges during the Ice Age. They adapted to the changing environment by creating tools and developing strategies for hunting and gathering. The discovery of cave paintings and artifacts from this period provides insight into the lives of our ancestors.
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