Researchers recently discovered a remarkable fossil in northern Spain, marking a significant find in the study of human ancestry. This fossil, a partial face of a human ancestor, dates back between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years, making it the oldest known evidence of hominin in western Europe. It was found in a site called Sima del Elefante in the Atapuerca Mountains.
According to a study published in Nature, the fossil includes a part of the left cheekbone and upper jaw. Eric Delson, a paleontologist from the American Museum of Natural History, expressed excitement about the find, highlighting its age and importance in understanding human evolution in Europe.
Rick Potts, director of the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program, noted that this discovery provides the first concrete evidence that early human ancestors traveled into Europe during that period. He cautioned, however, that it remains unclear if these early arrivals established lasting populations. They could have arrived in new areas, only to perish shortly after.
This fossil displays traits similar to Homo erectus, a species that emerged around 2 million years ago. However, some differences exist, which suggests a possible link to other hominin species. Rosa Huguet, one of the study’s co-authors and a researcher at the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology, emphasized the fossil’s anatomical features could hint at a diverse lineage of ancient humans.
In addition to this find, other significant fossils have been uncovered in the same region, offering further insights into human history. Paleoanthropologist Christoph Zollikofer from the University of Zurich pointed out that identifying the specific group of early humans based on fragmentary fossils can be challenging. The Atapuerca site has previously yielded important fossils from Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens as well.
The discovery is timely amid growing interest in human evolution, especially with recent statistics revealing that around 60% of people are curious about their ancestry. This fascination often leads individuals to explore genetic testing to learn about their own roots.
As this field of study continues to evolve, experts encourage public engagement and education about our ancient past. The understanding of how our ancestors migrated, adapted, and interacted with their environments can lead to deeper insights into what it means to be human today.
For more on this topic, check out the full study published in Nature here.
Check out this related article: Discoveries in Spain: Ancient Bone Fragments Reveal the Oldest Known Human Face in Western Europe
Source linkEurope, Archaeology and anthropology, Eurocopa 2024, Asia, Rick Potts, Eric Delson, Science, Rosa Huguet, Spain, Christoph Zollikofer
