A groundbreaking new study published in PLOS One offers fresh insights into how European prehistoric hunter-gatherer populations adapted to climate change over 12,000 years ago. The research reveals that during the early stages of the Final Palaeolithic, north-eastern central Europe saw a rise in human settlement, suggesting the formation of larger and more stable populations. Despite the overall decline, the study found that prehistoric regions in central Europe exhibited relative demographic stability or even modest growth. The study also highlights the resilience and adaptability of prehistoric populations in the face of ecological upheaval. The protocol provides a standardised procedure to estimate prehistoric demographic data, allowing for diachronic comparisons.