18. loess

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Loess, or windblown and fine soil, is deposited and blown by strong winds from the glaciers during an Ice Age. In the last Ice Age, all glaciers and ice moved up to the very north of the Earth, and strong winds blew huge quantities of dust, rock debris, and vegetation down mainly to the areas of Africa and Eurasia. Loess can greatly affect the climate of an enviornment because it can cover large areas. H. ergaster scarcely survived with this newly changed environment. They changed very little physically or mentally for approximately 1.5 million years. They slightly made their tools better, as they mastered the making of twig huts and hunting, and learned to make fire.

Sources: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/loess/ -National Geographic Manual pg 31 http://chinauniquetour.com/arts.asp?id=3622 - Picture