Could prehistoric humans have reached the poles?........

Question

or the polar areas far north or far south. I just thought about that and in my mind it could be possible. They could have reached areas near the poles and died on the journey. They had no idea where they were going but they could have gone very far north during the migration period and died because of harsh climate. What do you think? Maybe some prehistoric humans even reached the poles? It is not far from Southern America (Chile and Argentina) to Antarctica? Do you think any of the indigenous peoples could have went to Antarctica?

What do you think?

Answer 1

I don't see it intentionally.  People usually don't go toward a harsher climate but away from it.  Maybe someone becoming lost might have made it, but as difficult as it was for expeditions to make it, I don't think it likely.

Answer 2

Why would they go where there is no food? They would have turned back quickly when they realised that there were no edible plants and very few animals, and nothing to burn for fire. Very important a fire, to keep warm, keep beasts away, cook... Even the Inuits, who developped a civilisation living on the ice, never went that far north, living on land and venturing on the ice only to hunt. Besides, you can only go to the north pole during winter when the pack ice covers the whole area between land and pole, and I don't think our ancestors were stupid enough to travel during winter. Especially with the week long freezing storms, below zero temperatures, and no drinkable water (ice pack is made of salted water).

As for Antartica, there's no pack ice strong enough to cover the area between Antartica and South America, the distance is too great and the currents too fierce. And even if by some weather miracle an ice bridge formed no Human of that time could survive crossing 1000 kilometers of empty ice in winter with no food source.  

So no, I don't think they went to the poles.

Answer 3

We tend to forget that the climate at the poles has changes throughout the history of the earth.When the Earth is in an  Ice House phase, the Polar and Cool Temperate belts  expand ( 0, 300, 630 million years ago).  During Hot House times, the Arid and Warm Temperate belts expand  (100, 200, & 400 million years ago). During the Hot House times, prehistoric humans probably lived toward the poles.

Answer 4

I don't think so. The harsh climate would have turned them back.

Answer 5

Sure

Answer 6

Why not?

Answer 7

I don't think they would have had a reason to go to the North or South Pole, then or now.  It's not like they would be following herds of animals/fish there; even if the climate was a little warmer than  now.