Recent research suggests that prehistoric Homo sapiens employed sunscreen and clothing to combat increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation during periods of changes in Earth's magnetic field. The last change in Earth's magnetic field, known as the Laschamps excursion, occurred around 40,000 to 42,000 years ago, during which the magnetic North Pole began to shift over Europe and dropped down near the equator. The weakened magnetic field allowed more UV light to penetrate the atmosphere, making Homo sapiens and Neanderthals more vulnerable to its effects. These protective strategies may have given Homo sapiens an advantage over Neanderthals, who did not appear to make the same sun protection adaptations.