News Anthropology Ancient populations were game for growth By Bruce Bower August 12, 2002 at 10:54 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Recent investigations of genetic variation in living populations have suggested that the numbers of Stone Age people rose sharply sometime between 100,000 and 50,000 years ago. Better clues to the timing and extent of ancient population shifts may reside among the fossil bones of tortoises, hares, and other small game that supplemented Stone Age diets.