Climate History Network

This week’s edition of Science reports on an ongoing NSF-funded interdisciplinary project to understand the origins of Genghis Khan’s empire, including the role of climate.  Preliminary tree-ring work points to a cold dry period during the late 12th century–a time of Mongol infighting–then a period of abundant rainfall on the Mongolian steppes in 1211-30AD, during the peak of Mongol conquest.  The investigators point to the critical role of good weather for grass growth to power Mongol herds and armies.