Scientists have extracted a 2.8 km-long ice core from Antarctica, dating back 1.2 million years. The core preserves ancient air bubbles, potentially illuminating critical periods in Earth’s climate history, particularly the glacial cycles that may have impacted human ancestors. Led by the Italian Institute of Polar Sciences and involving ten European nations, this research contributes to the project ‘Beyond Epica: Oldest Ice,’ aiming to deepen understanding of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions over the millennia.