article_snippet: The researchers behind the study claim The researchers behind the study findings may force a rethink on how we define human history and the impact we have had on the environment.
article_snippet: Dr Marta Mirazón Lahr, a reader in human evolution at the University of Cambridge, said: 'The term 'anthropocene' is now used to denote the point at which humans began to have a significant effect on the environment. '
article_snippet: The critical time may well be the beginning of the industrial revolution about 200 years ago. '
article_snippet: Some talk of an 'early anthropocene' about 10,000 years ago when forests began being cleared for agriculture. '
article_snippet: The effects of our technology on the environment may be considerably older than previously thought.'