“The Anthropocene Era refers to the period of time humans have had a measurable global impact on Earth’s ecosystems. Though it’s clear we’re currently living in it, scientists have long debated when exactly this epoch of human dominance over the planet first began.

Did it start with the advent of agriculture around 10,000 years ago? With the Industrial Revolution? With the first explosions of nuclear weapons in the 1940s? As it turns out, new data suggests it may have actually started in the year 1610.”  Read more by Bryan Nelson on Mother Nature Network here.

Or try this 2013 article from Smithsonian here.