Photos reveal face of million-year-old human unearthed at ancient site
Archeologists have unearthed what could be the oldest human face in Western Europe. Dated at between 1.1 and 1.4 million years, the bone fragments have some resemblance to extinct Homo erectus and was found close to animal bones with cut marks from stone tools.
This week, Professor Rosa Huguet from Rovira i Virgili University recalled the moment her team first discovered the fossilised bones. She described the feeling as one of 'great excitement' paired with the responsibility of needing to rigorously research the find.
'Where it was recovered was very ancient. Later, when we realised it was a face, and during the paleoanthropological study, we saw that the discovery was not only important but also groundbreaking for the study of human evolution,' she told Yahoo News.
Related: Object used in 12,000 year old curse unearthed in cave
The fragments, which have been collectively named ATE7-1, were found at the Sima del Elefante dig site in Northern Spain in 2022. They were once part of the ancient human's maxilla and zygomatic bones that form the upper part of the jaw, roof of the mouth, and areas of the eye socket and nose. The findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature overnight.
Humans are thought to have settled in Eurasia about 1.8 million years ago and this is evidenced by the ancient stone tools from the period. Bone fragment fossils are much less common.
In an email to Yahoo, Huguet described the world in which ATE7-1 likely lived in. 'Paleoecological data suggests an open, humid forest landscape with trees, shrubs, and watercourses in the vicinity of the site,' she said.
Looking at the adult face bones, it's impossible to tell anything about the person's appearance, sex, or even which species it is. It's been provisionally named Homo aff. erectus, indicating an affinity to Homo erectus, pending further evidence.
What tells us more about the person and how they lived are the other objects found nearby.
'We have recovered a small collection of tools, including cobbles and flakes made of quartz and flint, both local materials, suggesting that the lithic resources were sourced from areas near the site,' Huguet said.
'Use-wear analysis of these tools indicates they were likely used for processing animal meat. Additionally, we recovered a rib from a deer-like animal at the site, which shows clear cut marks, providing evidence that these hominins could obtain meat resources for their survival.'
🐣 Once common Aussie bird among 21 new species facing extinction
😳 Mammoth de-extinction team produces 'groundbreaking' new creature
🦴 Extinction of giant species rethought after 'very rare' find
Huguet hopes to find more fossils at Sima del Elefante that will allow her team to better understand this new species that lived in Europe over a million years ago.
'It will certainly be challenging, but not impossible. And if [Sima del Elefante] has shown us anything, it's that anything can happen, and everything is possible,' she said.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Metsera Announces Positive Phase 1 Data of First-in-Class Once-Monthly Amylin Candidate MET-233i
Placebo-subtracted mean weight loss up to 8.4% at Day 36 19-day observed half-life supports once-monthly dosing as monotherapy and potential first-in-category monthly GLP-1 + Amylin combination Well-tolerated with no safety signals Company to host conference call and webcast today at 8:00 A.M. ET NEW YORK, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metsera, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTSR), today announced positive topline data from the Phase 1 clinical trial of MET-233i, an ultra-long acting amylin analog engineered for class-leading durability, potency, and combinability with Metsera's fully-biased monthly GLP-1 receptor agonist candidate, MET-097i. In the study, MET-233i demonstrated up to 8.4% mean placebo-subtracted weight loss at Day 36, a 19-day observed half-life supporting once-monthly dosing, and a favorable tolerability profile with no safety signals. 'We are excited by these impressive results from MET-233i, which demonstrate exceptional efficacy with no safety signals, and enable the potential first monthly multi-NuSH combination,' said Steve Marso, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Metsera. 'We observed five-week body weight loss comparable to that of leading GLP-1-based medicines, and we identified efficacious starting doses with placebo-like tolerability. These data position MET-233i as a potential best-in-class amylin and support a category-leading profile in combination with MET-097i.' The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 1 trial was designed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of subcutaneous MET-233i in 80 participants with overweight or obesity without type 2 diabetes. MET-233i was evaluated at single doses from 0.15 mg to 2.4 mg, and multiple doses from 0.15 mg to 1.2 mg given once weekly over five weeks without titration. The trial population was broadly balanced in gender between MET-233i and placebo and had a mean baseline body mass index of approximately 32. Topline results from the Phase 1 trial include: Dose-linear pharmacokinetics with an observed half-life of 19 days from dose to 50% of Cmax. This represents the most durable pharmacokinetic profile of any known amylin analog and supports the potential for once-monthly dosing with simplified titration. MET-233i's exposure profile after multiple doses matched that of MET-097i, supporting combinability as a potential first-in-category once-monthly multi-NuSH combination. These data further substantiate HALO™, Metsera's proprietary, novel peptide stabilization and lipidation platform technology. Body weight loss up to 8.4%. Body weight loss was dose-dependent, ranging up to a placebo-subtracted mean of 8.4% at Day 36 after five weekly doses of 1.2 mg, with individual responses as high as 10.2%. In the single ascending dose (SAD) portion of the trial, substantial weight loss was maintained more than four weeks after dosing, supported by the ultra-long pharmacokinetics observed for MET-233i. Favorable tolerability results. Gastrointestinal adverse events in the multiple ascending dose (MAD) portion of the trial were all mild, dose-dependent, and primarily confined to the first week of dosing, implying rapid onset of tolerance despite a three-fold accumulation of exposure over five weeks. Anticipated starting doses of 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg demonstrated tolerability results comparable to placebo in both the SAD and the MAD portions of the trial. No safety signals. There were no severe or serious adverse events observed in the SAD or MAD portion of the trial to date. 'Amylin agonism has emerged as a central therapeutic mechanism for metabolic diseases, but candidates in development have been limited to weekly dosing,' said Professor Carel le Roux, Director of the Metabolic Medicine Group and Chair in Experimental Pathology at University College Dublin. 'The durability and efficacy of MET-233i in this trial, along with its combinability with Metsera's GLP-1 RA, make it the potential first monthly multi-NuSH combination candidate for patients seeking greater levels of well-tolerated weight loss with a more convenient dosing schedule.'Next StepsBased on these positive topline data, Metsera is rapidly advancing MET-233i as a monotherapy and in combination with MET-097i: An ongoing monotherapy trial evaluates 12 weekly doses of MET-233i with dose titration, followed by an exposure-matched monthly dose at week 13. Topline data from this trial are expected in late 2025. Metsera has extended an ongoing co-administration trial of MET-233i and MET-097i to twelve weeks, with topline data expected by year-end 2025 or early 2026. The Company also expects to report topline clinical data from its ultra-long acting GIP receptor agonist, MET-034i, in combination with MET-097i, in late 2025. We anticipate that MET-034i will be the third peptide engineered with Metsera's HALO™ platform to enter clinical Call and Webcast InformationMetsera will host a conference call and webcast today, June 9, 2025, at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Time to discuss the Phase 1 clinical trial of MET-233i. A live webcast of the call and a replay will be available on the Events page in the Investors & News section of the Metsera website at To access the call by phone, participants should visit this link to receive dial-in details: About MET-233i MET-233i is an ultra-long acting, subcutaneously injectable monthly amylin analog engineered for class-leading durability, potency, and combinability in solution with Metsera's fully-biased, ultra-long acting GLP-1 RA candidate MET-097i, with matched solubility parameters and observed half-lives. MET-233i is being explored in clinical studies as a monotherapy and in combination with MET-097i. Metsera is developing the combination of MET-233i and MET-097i via the FDA biologic pathway with the intent to pursue the combination's regulatory approval in the United States under a Metsera's HALO™ peptide stabilization and lipidation platformHALO™ is Metsera's novel peptide stabilization and lipidation platform technology that enables peptides to bind simultaneously to albumin and to a drug target, designed to facilitate a half-life approaching that of albumin and exceeding that of other NuSH peptides. This ultra-long half-life may enable monthly dosing, improved tolerability, and improved Metsera, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company accelerating the next generation of medicines for obesity and metabolic diseases. Metsera is advancing a broad portfolio of oral and injectable incretin, non-incretin and combination therapies with potential best-in-class profiles to address multiple therapeutic targets and meet the future needs of a rapidly evolving weight loss treatment landscape. Metsera was founded in 2022 and is based in New York City. For more information, please visit us at and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Metsera may use its website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company. Financial and other important information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible through the Investors & News section of its website at In addition, you may sign up to automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company by using the 'Email Alerts' option on the Investors & Media page and submitting your email address. Forward Looking StatementsThis press release includes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to the timelines, design and results of the Company's clinical trials and data releases; the Company's product candidate pipeline and milestone events; potential benefits of treatment with the Company's product candidates; and anticipated market opportunity and strategy. When used herein, words including 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'can,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'designed,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'forecast,' 'goal,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'might,' 'plan,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'target,' 'will,' 'would' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. All forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. The Company may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, our limited operating history; our ability to generate revenue or become profitable; failure to obtain additional capital when needed on acceptable terms or at all; raising additional capital may cause dilution to our stockholders or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or product candidates; our dependence on the success of our product candidates; risks associated with preclinical and clinical development; difficulties or delays in the commencement or completion, or the termination or suspension, of clinical trials; our ability to timely enroll patients in our clinical trials; if our current or future product candidates are associated with side effects, adverse events or other properties or safety risks; risks associated with the regulatory approval processes of the FDA and comparable foreign authorities; risks associated with conducting clinical trials and preclinical studies outside of the United States; our reliance on third parties to conduct clinical trials and preclinical studies; our reliance on third parties for the manufacture and shipping of our product candidates; risks associated with our license and collaboration agreements and future strategic alliances; significant competition in our industry; product candidates for which we intend to seek approval as biologic products may face competition sooner than anticipated; our success is dependent on our ability to attract and retain highly qualified management and other clinical and scientific personal; if we or our licensors are unable to obtain, maintain, defend and enforce patent or other intellectual property protection for our current or future product candidates or technology; risks associated with our common stock and the other important factors discussed under the caption 'Risk Factors' in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025, which are accessible on the SEC's website at and the Investors section of the Company's website at Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While the Company may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, it disclaims any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause the Company's views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Contact:Jono EmmettMetseramedia@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Why The ‘Strawberry Moon' Will Be Lowest Until 2043 — And How To Photograph It
Tuesday's full strawberry moon occurs during two-year period known as the 'major lunar standstill" ... More or "lunistice," when a once-in 18.6-year event will create the lowest-hanging full moon since 2006 and until 2043. The full moon is seen here rising behind Stonehenge in England. (Photo by) The full strawberry moon will put on a dramatic show at moonrise on Tuesday, June 10 — low, luminous, and colored orange as it climbs into the southeastern sky. Get to an observing location that looks southeast — preferably low to the horizon — and at the specific time of moonrise where you are (during dusk), you'll see the red-orange orb rise before your eyes. Seen from the Northern Hemisphere, the full moon will rise far to the southeast, move across the sky close to the southern horizon, and set in the southwest close to dawn. It's happening because we're in the midst of a rare two-year period known as the 'major lunar standstill" or "lunistice," when a once-in 18.6-year event will create the lowest-hanging full moon since 2006 and until 2043. Earth's axis is tilted by 23.5 degrees with respect to the ecliptic, the path of the sun through the daytime sky, and, in effect, the plane of the solar system. That's what gives us seasons, and that's why planets are always found close to the ecliptic (hence the misused "planetary alignment" claims despite planets always being somewhat aligned with each other). The moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic twice each month, and when those crossings align with a new or full moon, eclipses can occur — hence the shared root in the words 'ecliptic' and 'eclipse.' While the sun's rise and set points vary throughout the year, changing by 47 degrees — and reaching the extreme points at the solstices — the moon's range is bigger, with that 5-degree tilt giving its rise and set points a 70-degree range near a major standstill, according to Griffith Observatory. Mount Coot-tha Lookout, Brisbane A major lunar standstill is a period when the northernmost and southernmost moonrise and moonset are furthest apart. Unlike a solstice (Latin for "sun stand still"), which lasts for one day, a major lunar standstill lasts for two years. These events are most noticeable during a full moon. Essentially, the swiveling and shifting orbit of the moon — a consequence of the sun's gravitational pull — is tilted at its maximum angle relative to the ecliptic. Every 18.6 years, the tilts combine to cause the moon to rise and set as much as 28.5° north or south of due east and west, respectively. Most people won't notice the major lunar standstill, but if you regularly watch the full moon rise from a particular place, go there — you'll get a shock when the moon rises at an extreme position much farther from where you might imagine it will rise. Imaging a full moon using a smartphone isn't easy, but it is possible to capture something special. First, switch off your flash and turn on HDR mode (if available) to better capture both the moon and the landscape as the light fades during dusk. Don't zoom in because digital zoom only blurs the details. Instead, frame the moon within a landscape for more impact, which is especially effective during this month's unusually far-southeast moonrise. If you use a manual photography app, stick to an ISO of 100 for a clean shot and experiment with slower (but not too slow) shutter speeds. A tripod will help, especially when using slow shutter speeds. However, if you don't have one, you can balance your phone on a wall or ledge. The key is to image it when it's low on the horizon and glowing orange. You've got a short window to capture that color, even with this low-hanging full moon, which will turn bright white as it lifts above the horizon. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Resilience, a Private Japanese Spacecraft, Crash-Landed on the Moon
A Japanese spacecraft has probably crashed on the Moon, the second failed landing attempt for Tokyo-based private firm ispace. The HAKUTO-R Mission 2 (M2) lander — also called Resilience — began its landing sequence from a 100-kilometre-altitude orbit at 3.13am local time on 5 June. The craft was due to land near the centre of Mare Frigoris (Sea of Cold) at 4.17am. The ispace team said at a press conference that it lost contact with M2 when the craft was 192 metres above the Moon's surface and descending faster than expected. An attempt to reboot M2 was also unsuccessful. [Sign up for Today in Science, a free daily newsletter] M2 didn't receive measurements of the distance between itself and the lunar surface in time to slow down and reach its correct landing speed, the team said. 'It eventually slowed down, but not softly enough,' says Clive Neal, who studies the Moon at the University of Notre Dame in Indianapolis, US. He speculates that the failure was probably caused by a systems issue that wasn't identified and addressed during the M1 landing attempt. 'It's something that I believe will definitely be fixable, because getting that close means there's a few tweaks that are going to be needed for the next one,' he adds. If M2 had successfully landed on the lunar surface, the mission would have been the second time a commercial company had achieved the feat and a first for a non-US company. ispace's Mission 1 (M1) probably crashed during a landing attempt in April 2023. Lunar landings are challenging. When M1 crashed, Ryo Ujiie, ispace's chief technology officer said the telemetry — which collects data on the craft's altitude and speed — estimated that M1 was on the surface when it wasn't, causing the lander to free fall. Speaking to Nature last week, Ujiie said the company had addressed the telemetry issue with M2 and modified its software. 'We also carefully selected how to approach the landing site,' he added. Had M2 landed successfully, the craft would have supplied electricity for its cargo, including water electrolyzing equipment and a module for food production experiments — developed by Japan-based Takasago Thermal Engineering and biotechnology firm Euglena. A deep space radiation probe made by Taiwan's National Central University, and the 54-centimetre Tenacious rover were also be on board. The rover, created by ispace's European subsidiary in Luxemburg, was going to be released from the lander to collect imagery, location data and lunar sand known as regolith. Tenacious also carries a small red house made by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg. The craft launched on 15 January from Cape Canaveral, Florida, onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The rocket was also carrying the Blue Ghost Moon lander — developed by Firefly Aerospace, an aerospace firm based in Texas — which landed on the Moon on 2 March. M2 took a longer path to the moon than Blue Ghost, performing a lunar flyby on 15 February and spending two months in a low-energy transfer orbit before entering lunar orbit on 7 May. Ujiie says the path was slower because it was a low-energy trajectory, meaning that less fuel was used to move between Earth and lunar orbit. Richard de Grijs, an astronomer at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, says there will likely be more private companies trying to land their own crafts on the Moon. 'It seems that the big government players like NASA are quite keen to partner with commercial companies,' he says, because they can develop and launch crafts more cheaply than government bodies. He also expects that more missions will be launched in clusters, like the launch of M2 and Blue Ghost. This article is reproduced with permission and was first published on June 6, 2025.
