Ancient Human Fossil Discovered in Spain May Represent New Evolutionary Species
Scientists have unearthed fossilized facial bones in Spain, estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.4 million years old, which could belong to a previously unidentified species in the human evolutionary lineage. The discovery, reported by Reuters, was made at the Sima del Elefante cave near Burgos and includes 80% of the left side of an adult’s face, featuring parts of the cheekbone, upper jaw, and nasal structure. These fossils are among the oldest-known human remains found in Europe.
The fossil, nicknamed “Pink” after the band Pink Floyd, exhibits facial features that are more primitive than those of *Homo antecessor*, a species that lived in Western Europe around 850,000 years ago and had a modern-like midface. However, Pink’s midface is more prominent and robust, showing similarities to *Homo erectus*, the first human species to migrate out of Africa, while also displaying distinct differences.
Researchers have provisionally named the fossil *Homo affinis erectus* to acknowledge its connection to *Homo erectus*. “These findings open a new line of research into human evolution in Europe,” said archaeologist Rosa Huguet of IPHES-CERCA, the lead author of a study published in *Nature*.
*Homo sapiens* emerged approximately 300,000 years ago, while *Homo erectus* first appeared in Africa around 1.9 million years ago, boasting modern body proportions. *Homo antecessor* also shared similar physical traits.
The Sima del Elefante site previously yielded a jawbone fragment dated to 1.2 million years ago, but its species remained unclear. The Pink fossils, discovered in 2022, were found in a deeper, and therefore older, layer of the site.
Archaeologist Xosé Pedro Rodríguez-Álvarez highlighted the rarity of such discoveries, stating, “There are very few sites with human fossils from Europe’s earliest settlers.”
In addition to the Pink fossil, researchers uncovered stone tools and butchered animal bones at the site. However, the incomplete nature of the fossils means that Pink’s full facial structure and gender remain unknown. “There are many questions to be answered,” said study co-author José María Bermúdez de Castro.
This groundbreaking discovery sheds new light on the early human presence in Europe and raises intriguing questions about the diversity and evolution of ancient human species.
