A blast from the past!
Archeologists unearthed fossilized bone fragments in a cave in Spain that may represent a previously unknown species — making it the oldest-known human fossil ever discovered in Western Europe.
The left cheekbone and upper jaw of a partial skull belonging to an extinct human species were discovered at the Sima del Elefante cave near the Atapuerca Mountains in Burgos in 2022, according to research published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
Researchers estimate the remains — which were found near stone tools and animal bones — date back 1.1 to 1.4 million years.
“These findings open a new line of research in the study of human evolution in Europe, as they introduce a new player in the early occupation of Europe,” said Dr. Rosa Huget, an archeologist and professor at the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution in Spain, who led the study entitled “The earliest human face of Western Europe.”
“When we have more fossil remains, we will be able to say more about this species.”
The fossil has since been nicknamed “Pink,” honoring rock band Pink Floyd.
Researchers believe Pink bears some similarities to Homo erectus, thought to be the first human species to have migrated out of Africa roughly 2 million years ago. The species is reportedly believed to have died out around 100,000 years ago.
The specimen also exhibits anatomical differences, indicating a potentially new species. The fossil, however, was not complete enough for researchers to conclude Pink belonged to an unnamed ancient human species — but believe it’s a real possibility, the study said.
“This is another step towards understanding the first Europeans,” said paleoanthropologist and study senior author José María Bermúdez de Castro Risueño, co-director of the Atapuerca Project.
The fossil was assigned the provisional name Homo affinis erectus based on its shared characteristics to certain Homo erectus traits.
“This conclusion is the most honest proposal we can make with evidence we have,” María Martinón Torres, director of Spain’s National Human Evolution Research Center, said Tuesday at a press briefing, CNN reported.
“It is cautious, but it is also a little bit daring, because we are not closing the possibility that it is maybe something different.”
With Post wires
