Researchers have discovered the oldest human fossil ever found in Western Europe in a cave in northern Spain. The fossilized pieces of a face, nicknamed “Pink,” are between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old and do not belong to any known species. The researchers tentatively suggest that Pink is related to the human ancestor Homo erectus. This discovery helps to better understand the timeline of human settlement in Western Europe and bridge the gap between older and more recent human ancestor fossils in the region.
The finding is significant in piecing together the story of early human evolution and migration in Europe. The fossil was found with stone tools and animal bones with butcher marks, indicating that the early ancestors likely hunted animals for meat. The discovery suggests that human ancestors settled Europe in multiple waves, but populations may have contracted and died out over time.
The region where Pink was discovered, known as Atapuerca, has a rich fossil record due to its geography, which was likely ideal for early hominins to settle. The researchers plan to continue excavating the site in search of more surprises. The discovery of Pink may shed light on a previously unknown human population in Europe and help researchers understand the changes in anatomy over time. Further study of this fossil may provide insights into the climactic events that may have led to the extinction of this species.
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