SAEDNEWS: In the depths of an ancient cave in northern Spain, fragments of an early human face have been uncovered, believed by scientists to be the oldest human fossil in Western Europe. What makes this discovery even more astonishing is that the identity of this fossil remains unknown.
According to the History and Culture Service of SaedNews, in one of the most significant paleontological discoveries, scientists have uncovered a fossilized portion of an early human face in the “Sima del Elefante” cave in the Atapuerca mountains of Spain, dating back between 1.1 and 1.4 million years. This discovery, nicknamed “Pink,” provides new clues about the habitation of the first humans in Europe. What makes this fossil unique is that it does not resemble any known human species. Could this discovery be the missing link in human evolution? Scientists are searching for answers.
Discovery of a mysterious fossil with astonishing age
The newly discovered fossil, known as “Pink,” was found about 60 feet deep within the “Sima del Elefante” cave. This cave is one of Spain’s most important archaeological sites, where fossils over a million years old have previously been unearthed. Researchers believe the remains belong to an adult, though it is not yet known whether this individual was male or female.
This discovery raises a new mystery in the path of human evolution. Does this fossil belong to a completely new human ancestor species? Is it a missing species in our evolutionary history? Or perhaps a bridge between early humans and later species?
Dr. María Martinón-Torres, one of the study’s authors and a specialist in human paleontology at Spain’s National Center for Human Evolution Research, said regarding the discovery:
"We are documenting an unknown human population in Europe. This fossil represents the oldest human specimen discovered in Western Europe."
According to NBC News, researchers believe this fossil is likely related to Homo erectus, but it does not resemble older fossils found in Georgia (1.8 million years ago) nor Homo antecessor, which lived in Europe about 900,000 years ago.
This discovery could fill a significant gap in Europe’s human evolutionary history. Dr. Rodrigo Lacruz, Professor of Molecular Pathobiology at New York University, explains:
"This fossil does not resemble the Dmanisi fossils from Georgia, nor does it resemble the anatomy of later species closer to modern humans. It is something in between."
In addition to “Pink,” scientists discovered stone tools and animal bones with cut marks in the same sediment layers. This indicates that early humans at the time were butchering meat with stone tools for consumption.
Fossil evidence suggests that early humans migrated to Europe in several waves, but many populations eventually disappeared. Researchers believe that one reason for these disappearances was severe climate change. According to new studies, a climatic event around 1.1 million years ago may have caused widespread extinction, even leading to the complete disappearance of humans from Western Europe.
This is not the first time the “Sima del Elefante” cave has surprised researchers. In 2007, a small jaw fossil about 1.2 million years old was found at the site. However, the “Pink” fossil was discovered about 6 feet deeper, suggesting it may be even older.
Scientists say that due to its unique geographical location, this region was a key point for early human migration. The abundance of water and natural communication routes between mountains made it an ideal place for habitation.
Based on the information obtained, this discovery could change our understanding of how the first humans entered and spread across Europe. If this fossil belongs to an unknown species, the history of human migration and evolution on this continent may need to be rewritten. Will scientists find more fossils of this kind in the future? Research continues, and the “Sima del Elefante” cave will likely reveal more surprises in the years to come.
