Oldest Hominin Fossil Discovered in Spain Revolutionizes Understanding of Human Ancestry

BURGOS, Spain (AP) — Archaeologists have uncovered the oldest known partial face fossil of a human ancestor in western Europe, revealing insights into early human migration patterns. The fossil, a fragment of the left cheekbone and upper jaw, was discovered at the Sima del Elefante site in northern Spain in 2022. Researchers estimate the fossil to be between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old.

The findings were disclosed on Wednesday, marking a significant breakthrough as this is the first discovery of hominin remains older than 1 million years in western Europe. Eric Delson, a paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History and not involved in the research, emphasized the importance of this fossil, stating, “It’s the first time we have significant remains older than 1 million years old in western Europe.”

Previous fossils from early human ancestors had been reported in areas near the intersection of eastern Europe and Asia, such as Dmanisi in Georgia, which contains the oldest remains estimated to be about 1.8 million years old. This new Spanish fossil indicates that early human ancestors were venturing into Europe significantly earlier than previously understood, according to Rick Potts, director of the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program.

“This fossil adds evidence that early human ancestors were exploring new landscapes in Europe during that period,” Potts remarked. However, he cautioned that there is currently no definitive evidence that these early humans established long-lasting populations in Europe. “They may arrive in a new area and then die out,” he added.

The partial skull bears several similarities to the species Homo erectus, yet it also showcases distinct anatomical features. Rosa Huguet, an archaeologist at the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution in Tarragona and co-author of the study, noted these differences highlight the unique evolution of human ancestors in the region.

Homo erectus is believed to have emerged around 2 million years ago, migrating from Africa to parts of Asia and Europe, with its last known populations disappearing approximately 100,000 years ago. Christoph Zollikofer, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Zurich, outlined the challenges researchers face when identifying species based on limited fossil fragments, which can obscure categorization.

The Sima del Elefante site, part of the rich archaeological landscape in the Atapuerca Mountains of Spain, has previously yielded important findings, including remains of Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens. The current research is published in the journal Nature.

Dr. María Martinón-Torres, director of the National Centre for Research on Human Evolution in Burgos, echoed the significance of the discovery, noting that this fossil—informally nicknamed “Pink”—exhibits features distinct from previously known species like Homo antecessor, which shares traits more akin to modern humans.

As excavations continue at Sima del Elefante, researchers are optimistic about uncovering more fossils that could shed further light on the life and adaptations of early human ancestors in Europe. Dr. José María Bermúdez de Castro, co-director of the Atapuerca Project, stated, “This is another step towards understanding the first Europeans,” emphasizing the importance of continued research in this area.