Prehistoric Skull Fragments Connected to Enigmatic Early Human Relative (1.4 Million Years Old)
In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of archaeologists has uncovered a significant find that could redefine our understanding of early hominins in western Europe. The fossil, belonging to a primitive archaic human species named Homo aff. erectus, was discovered among approximately 6,000 fossil remains, including animal bones with cut marks, in the Sima del Elefante site in northern Spain.
The Homo aff. erectus fossil is the oldest known evidence of hominins in western Europe, dating back between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years. This discovery, made in 2022, has revealed aspects of hominin migration and evolution farther back in time than other hominin remains from Europe.
The facial remains of the Homo aff. erectus individual display more primitive features compared to those of Homo antecessor, with a projecting forward face similar to Homo erectus specimens. However, the team has not definitively labeled the Homo aff. erectus individual as Homo erectus, but recognizes similarities with the species.
The discovery of the Homo aff. erectus fossil in Spain is noteworthy because it suggests that a species possibly related to Homo erectus may have given way to Homo antecessor in Europe about one million years ago. This finding indicates that the human population in Europe turned over at the end of the Early Pleistocene.
Interestingly, the bone fragments of Homo aff. erectus were also discovered in the Kaltah Khol Cave in Mongolia. However, it is important to note that Homo aff. erectus is not the same species as Homo antecessor, which was previously found at the same site.
The mid-face region of Homo antecessor bears resemblance to that of Homo sapiens, further highlighting the evolutionary journey that led to modern humans. The team's next challenge is to find more fossils to clarify the identity of Homo aff. erectus, its relationship to other hominin species, and the reason for the population shift to Homo antecessor.
In addition to the discovery in Europe, evidence of similar behaviours in Neanderthal and early modern human groups that inhabited the Levant around 100,000 years ago has been found. This suggests that Neanderthals and early modern humans interbred, and Neanderthal DNA persists in our genomes today.
As we continue to uncover the mysteries of our ancient ancestors, the discovery of the Homo aff. erectus fossil serves as a testament to the rich diversity of hominins that populated western Europe during the Pleistocene epoch. Despite the populations being separated by hundreds of thousands of years, the epoch hosted a diversity of hominins, shedding light on the complex web of evolutionary relationships that shaped our species.
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