How does the overkill hypothesis explain the extinction of mammoths and other large animals?

The overkill hypothesis suggests that the extinction of large mammals, such as mammoths and mastodons, was primarily caused by overpredation by human hunters.1

Proponents of this theory, notably Paul S. Martin, argue that the timing of these extinctions coincides with the arrival of skilled human hunters from Eurasia, as evidenced by the Clovis complex in North America. The hypothesis posits that these large herbivores had no prior experience with humans and were therefore not wary of them, making them vulnerable to efficient hunting techniques. As populations of these large animals declined, the loss of prey subsequently impacted large carnivores.12

While this hypothesis is a significant area of study, it remains part of a vigorous debate, as many scientists also point to the role of abrupt climatic change and environmental stress during the transition from the Pleistocene to the Holocene. It is widely considered likely that both human activity and environmental shifts contributed to these extinctions in varying degrees depending on the geographic region.12