Landscape change is a prime impetus for evolutionary adaptation on earth. Humans are unique among animals because we inhabit virtually every ecological niche on the planet. It is through various adaptive processes, both biological and cultural, that we inherited this unique position among the other species on earth. However, we should not take it for granted that this is our birthright to remain at the top of the evolutionary ladder, nor that we will sustain the status quo indefinitely. My work applies modern scientific methods to explore the connections between the past and the present relating to human responses to profound changes to their landscape. How our ancestors dealt with climate change has special salience given the challenges we face in this rapidly warming world.