Archaeologists have discovered what might be the earliest known human face in Western Europe. Estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.4 million years old, these bone pieces bear a similarity to those of an extinct species. Homo erectus and was discovered near animal bones bearing cut marks from stone instruments.
This week, Professor Rosa Huguet from Rovira i Virgili University reminisced about the instant her team unearthed the fossilized remains. She conveyed that they felt an overwhelming sense of "tremendous excitement" coupled with the duty to meticulously study their discovery.
"Where it was found was extremely old. Afterward, once we recognized it as a face and conducted our paleoanthropological analysis, we realized this find wasn’t just significant; it was revolutionary for understanding human evolution," she explained to Yahoo News.
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Which facial bones are we referring to?
The pieces, collectively referred to as ATE7-1, were discovered at the Sima del Elefante excavation site in northern Spain in 2022. These remnants originally belonged to an early human's maxilla and zygomatic bones, which make up the upper jaw, the palate, and parts of the eye sockets and nasal area. The research was documented in the esteemed journal. Nature overnight.
It is believed that humans began settling in Eurasia approximately 1.8 million years ago, which is supported by the discovery of early stone tools from that era. Fossils of bone fragments are far less prevalent.
In her email to Yahoo, Huguet outlined the environment where ATE7-1 probably resided. She mentioned, "The paleoecological evidence indicates an open, damp woodland setting featuring trees, bushes, and streams near the location."
How did life appear for early humans?
When examining the facial bones of an adult, it's not possible to determine details about their looks, gender, or even what species they belong to. It has been temporarily designated as Homo aff. erectus , suggesting a connection to Homo erectus , pending further evidence.
The additional items discovered around the area provide greater insight into the individual’s life and living conditions.
"We've retrieved a modest assortment of tools, encompassing cobbles and flakes crafted from quartz and flint—both locally available materials. This indicates that the stone tool resources were obtained from sites close to where they were found," explained Huguet.
Analysis of wear patterns on these tools suggests they were primarily used for butchering animal flesh. Furthermore, we found a rib bone from an elk-like creature at the location, exhibiting distinct cut marks, thus demonstrating that these early humans had the capability to secure sustenance through meat acquisition.
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Huguet aims to discover additional fossils at Sima del Elefante, which would enable her team to gain deeper insights into this newly identified species that inhabited Europe over one million years ago.
"It will surely be difficult, yet not unachievable. If [Sima del Elefante] has taught us anything, it’s that every outcome remains within reach and all possibilities are open," she stated.
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The article initially appeared on Yahoo News Australia.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/photos-reveal-face-of-million-year-old-human-unearthed-at-ancient-site-160148879.html
