Latest news with #Dmanisi
Local Spain
13-03-2025
- Science
- Local Spain
Western Europe's oldest human face unearthed in Spain
Until now, the oldest-known human species in Western Europe was the slender-faced Homo antecessor, dating back around 850,000 years. But research published in the journal Nature "introduces a new actor in the history of human evolution in Europe", lead study author Rosa Huguet of Spain's University of Rovira i Virgili told a press conference. The fossilised upper jawbone and partial cheekbone of Pink were discovered at the Atapuerca archaeological site in northern Spain in 2022. Since then, a team of Spanish scientists have been working to find out more about Pink, whose nickname is a reference to prog rock band Pink Floyd. The bones were excavated from a layer of silt and red mud 16 metres (52 feet) deep at a site known as Sima del Elefante -- or "elephant pit". They were found less than 250 metres from where the fossils of Western Europe's previous oldest human, Homo antecessor, were discovered nearly two decades ago. But the title of oldest human in all of Europe is still held by the Dmanisi people -- also called Homo georgicus -- who lived up to 1.8 million years ago in what is now Georgia. They were the first members of the human family, or hominins, known to have made it to Europe from Africa, the cradle of humanity. We modern Homo sapiens first showed up in Africa around 300,000 years ago -- and took our time getting to Europe. Face value The Spanish researchers used 3D imaging techniques to flesh out Pink's full face. Homo antecessor had a "very modern" face which is "vertical and flat" similar to our own, said María Martinón-Torres, director of Spain's National Research Center on Human Evolution. But Pink's face is more "projected forward and more robust," the study co-author added. This means it bears some similarities to the face of Homo erectus -- but not enough that the scientists could confirm that Pink was a member of this important human ancestor. So the scientists made up a new name for the possible species that Pink could belong to: Homo "affinis" erectus. "This is the most honest proposal we can make with the evidence we have," Martinón-Torres said. From just a few face bones, the researchers could not determine Pink's age or gender. But by analysing small stone tools and animals bones found at the site, they were able to get an idea of the environment Pink lived in. It was a humid forest landscape, roamed by horses, ancient cattle, monkeys and even some hippos. The area was a wildlife corridor with plenty of water, making it an "ideal" place for our ancient relatives to settle, Huguet said. What happened to them? The new discovery supports the hypothesis that early humans settled Europe going from east to west at least 1.4 million years ago, according to the Spanish researchers. If Pink is a representative of a previously unknown human species, it could have been a bridge between the Dmanisi hominins and Homo antecessors, they added. But this raises another question: what became of these people? Spanish paleoanthropologist José María Bermúdez de Castro felt that Pink's people likely did not survive a severe human "bottleneck" nearly 900,000 years ago thought to have been caused by global cooling. "I think that Homo affinis erectus probably disappeared," the study co-author said. Future research will aim to shed light on these mysteries. The Spanish team has not yet reached the bottom of the elephant pit -- nor other sites around it.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Meet 'Pink', the new face of human evolution in Europe
Western Europe has a new oldest face: the facial bones of an adult nicknamed "Pink" discovered in Spain are from a potential new member of the human family who lived more than 1.1 million years ago, scientists said Wednesday. Until now, the oldest-known human species in Western Europe was the slender-faced Homo antecessor, dating back around 850,000 years. But research published in the journal Nature "introduces a new actor in the history of human evolution in Europe", lead study author Rosa Huguet of Spain's University of Rovira i Virgili told a press conference. The fossilised upper jawbone and partial cheekbone of Pink were discovered at the Atapuerca archaeological site in northern Spain in 2022. Since then, a team of Spanish scientists have been working to find out more about Pink, whose nickname is a reference to prog rock band Pink Floyd. The bones were excavated from a layer of silt and red mud 16 metres (52 feet) deep at a site known as Sima del Elefante -- or "elephant pit". They were found less than 250 metres from where the fossils of Western Europe's previous oldest human, Homo antecessor, were discovered nearly two decades ago. But the title of oldest human in all of Europe is still held by the Dmanisi people -- also called Homo georgicus -- who lived up to 1.8 million years ago in what is now Georgia. They were the first members of the human family, or hominins, known to have made it to Europe from Africa, the cradle of humanity. We modern Homo sapiens first showed up in Africa around 300,000 years ago -- and took our time getting to Europe. - Face value - The Spanish researchers used 3D imaging techniques to flesh out Pink's full face. Homo antecessor had a "very modern" face which is "vertical and flat" similar to our own, said Maria Martinon-Torres, director of Spain's National Research Center on Human Evolution. But Pink's face is more "projected forward and more robust," the study co-author added. This means it bears some similarities to the face of Homo erectus -- but not enough that the scientists could confirm that Pink was a member of this important human ancestor. So the scientists made up a new name for the possible species that Pink could belong to: Homo "affinis" erectus. "This is the most honest proposal we can make with the evidence we have," Martinon-Torres said. From just a few face bones, the researchers could not determine Pink's age or gender. But by analysing small stone tools and animals bones found at the site, they were able to get an idea of the environment Pink lived in. It was a humid forest landscape, roamed by horses, ancient cattle, monkeys and even some hippos. The area was a wildlife corridor with plenty of water, making it an "ideal" place for our ancient relatives to settle, Huguet said. - What happened to them? - The new discovery supports the hypothesis that early humans settled Europe going from east to west at least 1.4 million years ago, according to the Spanish researchers. If Pink is a representative of a previously unknown human species, it could have been a bridge between the Dmanisi hominins and Homo antecessors, they added. But this raises another question: what became of these people? Spanish paleoanthropologist Jose Maria Bermudez de Castro felt that Pink's people likely did not survive a severe human "bottleneck" nearly 900,000 years ago thought to have been caused by global cooling. "I think that Homo affinis erectus probably disappeared," the study co-author said. Future research will aim to shed light on these mysteries. The Spanish team has not yet reached the bottom of the elephant pit -- nor other sites around it. pcl/dl/phz
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Earliest human face fossil from Western Europe revealed in study
Researchers in Spain have unearthed a fossil from a potential new prehistoric member of the human family tree, and they say it's the earliest known remnants of a face discovered in Western Europe. The facial bones from an adult were found at the Atapuerca archaeological site in northern Spain in 2022. Since then, a team of scientists has been working to learn more about the hominin, whom they nicknamed Pink. The researchers shared their findings in a study in the journal Nature, which was published on Tuesday. Pink's remains have been dated as between 1.1 and 1.4 million years old, the researchers said. The research "introduces a new actor in the history of human evolution in Europe," study author Rosa Huguet, of Spain's University of Rovira i Virgili, said at a news conference, according to the AFP news agency. The discovery suggests that early humans settled in Europe, traveling from the east side of the continent to the west, about 1.4 million years ago, the researchers said. Until now, the oldest-known human species in Western Europe was the Homo antecessor. Experts have found Homo antecessor remains that are around 850,000 years old. The oldest human ancestor found in any area of Europe is the Dmanisi people, or Homo georgicus, a group that lived in what is now the nation of Georgia. Remains of that species have been dated back to 1.8 million years ago. They are the first members of the human family known to have traveled from Africa to Europe. The face of "Pink" The fossilized upper jawbone and partial cheekbone were excavated from a 52-foot-deep layer of silt and mud at Sima del Elefante, or the "elephant pit," a site less than 1,000 feet from where the fossils of Homo antecessor were discovered in 1994. The bones were not enough for researchers to determine Pink's age or gender. From those fossilized bones, researchers were able to use 3D imaging techniques to create a model of Pink's face. The face is more "projected forward and more robust" than a modern human face or a Homo antecessor face, Maria Martinon-Torres, director of Spain's National Research Center on Human Evolution, told the AFP. Pink's face bears some similarities to the human ancestor Homo erectus, researchers said. That species spanned nearly 2 million years and was the first human species to evolve more familiar human body proportions and use fire and tools. Remains of the species have been found in Africa, Asia and Europe. But the similarities weren't strong enough for the scientists to confirm that Pink was a member of that species. Instead, they have proposed that Pink could belong to a new possible species, which they called Homo 'affinis' erectus. "This is the most honest proposal we can make with the evidence we have," Martinon-Torres said, according to AFP. The scientists were also able to analyze small stone tools and animal bones found at the excavation site to learn more about how Pink lived. The environment at the time was a humid forest landscape, and the early human population lived alongside horses, ancient cattle, monkeys and hippos, the researchers said. The area also likely had plenty of water, which would have made it an "ideal" place for the species to settle, Huguet said in the news conference. The researchers suggested that the species may be a bridge between the Homo georgicus species and the Homo antecessor species. Study co-author Jose Maria Bermudez de Castro told the AFP that it's likely the species "probably disappeared" during a severe global cooling era that occurred nearly 900,000 years ago. Research at the excavation site will continue, the scientists said. Judge blocks deportation of pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests House's short-term spending bill heads to Senate, passage needed by Friday to avoid shutdown What led up to Ukraine's willingness to accept 30-day ceasefire
CBS News
12-03-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Earliest human face fossil from Western Europe, nicknamed "Pink," discovered in Spanish pit
Researchers in Spain have unearthed a fossil from a potential new prehistoric member of the human family tree, and they say it's the earliest known remnants of a face discovered in Western Europe. The facial bones from an adult were found at the Atapuerca archaeological site in northern Spain in 2022. Since then, a team of scientists has been working to learn more about the hominin, whom they nicknamed Pink. The researchers shared their findings in a study in the journal Nature, which was published on Tuesday. Pink's remains have been dated as between 1.1 and 1.4 million years old, the researchers said. The research "introduces a new actor in the history of human evolution in Europe," study author Rosa Huguet, of Spain's University of Rovira i Virgili, said at a news conference, according to the AFP news agency. The discovery suggests that early humans settled in Europe, traveling from the east side of the continent to the west, about 1.4 million years ago, the researchers said. Until now, the oldest-known human species in Western Europe was the Homo antecessor. Experts have found Homo antecessor remains that are around 850,000 years old. The oldest human ancestor found in any area of Europe is the Dmanisi people, or Homo georgicus, a group that lived in what is now the nation of Georgia. Remains of that species have been dated back to 1.8 million years ago. They are the first members of the human family known to have traveled from Africa to Europe. The face of "Pink" The fossilized upper jawbone and partial cheekbone were excavated from a 52-foot-deep layer of silt and mud at Sima del Elefante, or the "elephant pit," a site less than 1,000 feet from where the fossils of Homo antecessor were discovered in 1994. The bones were not enough for researchers to determine Pink's age or gender. From those fossilized bones, researchers were able to use 3D imaging techniques to create a model of Pink's face. The face is more "projected forward and more robust" than a modern human face or a Homo antecessor face, Maria Martinon-Torres, director of Spain's National Research Center on Human Evolution, told the AFP. Pink's face bears some similarities to the human ancestor Homo erectus, researchers said. That species spanned nearly 2 million years and was the first human species to evolve more familiar human body proportions and use fire and tools. Remains of the species have been found in Africa, Asia and Europe. But the similarities weren't strong enough for the scientists to confirm that Pink was a member of that species. Instead, they have proposed that Pink could belong to a new possible species, which they called Homo 'affinis' erectus. "This is the most honest proposal we can make with the evidence we have," Martinon-Torres said, according to AFP. The scientists were also able to analyze small stone tools and animal bones found at the excavation site to learn more about how Pink lived. The environment at the time was a humid forest landscape, and the early human population lived alongside horses, ancient cattle, monkeys and hippos, the researchers said. The area also likely had plenty of water, which would have made it an "ideal" place for the species to settle, Huguet said in the news conference. The researchers suggested that the species may be a bridge between the Homo georgicus species and the Homo antecessor species. Study co-author Jose Maria Bermudez de Castro told the AFP that it's likely the species "probably disappeared" during a severe global cooling era that occurred nearly 900,000 years ago. Research at the excavation site will continue, the scientists said.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Meet 'Pink', the new face of human evolution in Europe
Western Europe has a new oldest face: the facial bones of an adult nicknamed "Pink" discovered in Spain are from a potential new member of the human family who lived more than 1.1 million years ago, scientists said Wednesday. Until now, the oldest-known human species in Western Europe was the slender-faced Homo antecessor, dating back around 850,000 years. But research published in the journal Nature "introduces a new actor in the history of human evolution in Europe", lead study author Rosa Huguet of Spain's University of Rovira i Virgili told a press conference. The fossilised upper jawbone and partial cheekbone of Pink were discovered at the Atapuerca archaeological site in northern Spain in 2022. Since then, a team of Spanish scientists have been working to find out more about Pink, whose nickname is a reference to prog rock band Pink Floyd. The bones were excavated from a layer of silt and red mud 16 metres (52 feet) deep at a site known as Sima del Elefante -- or "elephant pit". They were found less than 250 metres from where the fossils of Western Europe's previous oldest human, Homo antecessor, were discovered nearly two decades ago. But the title of oldest human in all of Europe is still held by the Dmanisi people -- also called Homo georgicus -- who lived up to 1.8 million years ago in what is now Georgia. They were the first members of the human family, or hominins, known to have made it to Europe from Africa, the cradle of humanity. We modern Homo sapiens first showed up in Africa around 300,000 years ago -- and took our time getting to Europe. - Face value - The Spanish researchers used 3D imaging techniques to flesh out Pink's full face. Homo antecessor had a "very modern" face which is "vertical and flat" similar to our own, said Maria Martinon-Torres, director of Spain's National Research Center on Human Evolution. But Pink's face is more "projected forward and more robust," the study co-author added. This means it bears some similarities to the face of Homo erectus -- but not enough that the scientists could confirm that Pink was a member of this important human ancestor. So the scientists made up a new name for the possible species that Pink could belong to: Homo "affinis" erectus. "This is the most honest proposal we can make with the evidence we have," Martinon-Torres said. From just a few face bones, the researchers could not determine Pink's age or gender. But by analysing small stone tools and animals bones found at the site, they were able to get an idea of the environment Pink lived in. It was a humid forest landscape, roamed by horses, ancient cattle, monkeys and even some hippos. The area was a wildlife corridor with plenty of water, making it an "ideal" place for our ancient relatives to settle, Huguet said. - What happened to them? - The new discovery supports the hypothesis that early humans settled Europe going from east to west at least 1.4 million years ago, according to the Spanish researchers. If Pink is a representative of a previously unknown human species, it could have been a bridge between the Dmanisi hominins and Homo antecessors, they added. But this raises another question: what became of these people? Spanish paleoanthropologist Jose Maria Bermudez de Castro felt that Pink's people likely did not survive a severe human "bottleneck" nearly 900,000 years ago thought to have been caused by global cooling. "I think that Homo affinis erectus probably disappeared," the study co-author said. Future research will aim to shed light on these mysteries. The Spanish team has not yet reached the bottom of the elephant pit -- nor other sites around it. pcl/dl/phz
