Scientists Find Fossils of First Human Ancestors in Europe
March 26, 2008
Boston (dbTechno) - Scientists have reported that they have managed to find fossils of early humans in Europe. The fossils date back 1.2 million years ago. This date is far earlier than past predictions from scientists, meaning humans may have been all over Europe far earlier than originally believed.
The discovery was made by a team who was led by Eudald Carbonell of the Institute of Human Paleocology and Social Evolution.
Near the city of Burgos, Spain, they managed to find a jaw bone as well as teeth and tools. The tool is believed to be something in the form of a knife.
The remains are believed to be of a female who was one of the first ancient humans to live in Europe. She has been identified as a member of the Homo antecessor species or the “pioneer man” species. As stated, she is believed to be 1.2 million-years-old.
The remains were found in a cave. The amazing aspect of these findings is the fact that they dated almost a half-million years older than any other remain found in this area.
Scientists stated that the jaw and teeth fossil gives them confirmation that humans lived in Europe far earlier than was originally thought.
14 years ago, the same site was the location of another finding. These bones were believed to be only 800,000 years old though.
This builds on the theory that human ancestors spread from Africa to Europe through the Middle East.
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Please get some facts straight.
“Scientists have reported that they have managed to find fossils of early humans in Europe.”
1) The remains are not claimed to be those of a human (Homo sapiens), but of a putative human ancestor.
2) The photo shows major skull fragments and a jawbone, suggesting that we can readily identify the species; in reality, only a lower jawbone and some teeth were found, and Dr. Carbonell “conceded that the identification of the fossils as Homo antecessor was provisional” (NYT). Remember Nebraska Man.
3) “The amazing aspect of these findings is the fact that they dated almost a half-century older than any other remain found in this area.” Maybe you mean almost half a million years older? (1.2 million vs. 800,000)
Whatever, seriously where do they get these numbers from? I would love for someone to prove the accuracy of whatever dating technique they are using. I think they use the numbers on a dart board method…