Oldest Human Face Revealed: Ancient Spaniard Lived 1.4 Million Years Ago

• SCIENTISTS UNVEIL THE FACE OF A PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN HUMAN ANCESTOR

Researchers have uncovered the earliest known human face from Western Europe, which could reshape our understanding of human evolution.

The ancient human referred to as 'Pink' resided in Spain in the Iberian Peninsula from approximately 1.1 to 1.4 million years ago.

This indicates that Pink significantly precedes the appearance of modern humans, Homo sapiens, who arrived on the continent approximately 45,000 years ago.

The fossilized remains differ significantly from other early hominin specimens discovered in the region, suggesting that Pink might represent an entirely new species of human.

The pieces of this ancient human face were found in 2022 within a cave known as Sima del Elefante. Where some of Europe's oldest human remains have been discovered.

Nevertheless, Pink seems to exhibit a distinct architecture compared to Homo antecessor, a human species that inhabited the region as far back as 860,000 years ago.

Rather than resembling our direct ancestors, he looks more like Homo erectus, an even older human species that appeared in Africa about two million years ago and was the first to walk upright similar to contemporary humans.

The research team thinks that Pink's species might have been some of the earliest Homo sapiens to reach Europe, only to be eradicated subsequently due to a rapid change in climate.

The remains discovered at Sima del Elephant consist of various fragmented pieces along with two tooth sections, and they are thought to represent the earliest known instance of human facial bones in Western Europe.

The researchers gave the individual the nickname 'Pink,' inspired by Pink Floyd's album "Dark Side of the Moon." In Spanish, this album is titled "La cara oculta de la luna," with "cara oculta" translating to "hidden face."

Once Pink’s remains were uncovered, researchers originally believed that they might be attributed to another of the ancient human species identified in the region.

Inside the cave, scientists had earlier discovered remnants of Homo antecessor that date back 860,000 years.

By examining the numerous other animal fossils discovered in the same stratum of the cave along with the indications of periodic changes in Earth’s magnetic field preserved in the soil, scientists determined that Pink's remains date back to between 1.1 and 1.4 million years ago.

Moreover, upon meticulously piecing together the remnants, it was evident that Pink’s facial structure did not match any known ancient human species from the region.

Dr María Martinón, who directs the National Centre for Research on Human Evolution, explains: "While Homo antecessor has a more contemporary appearance in terms of facial structure and possesses a pronounced nasal bone area similar to Homo sapiens, Pink displays characteristics that are more archaic, akin to those found in Homo erectus, notably through its flattened and less developed nose."

Homo erectus was the initial human species to adopt an upright stance and walk similarly to contemporary humans, and they were also the first to employ stone implements as cutting tools.

Once it emerged in Africa roughly two million years ago, this species spread to Asia and even reached Eastern Europe.

At a location in present-day Georgia, paleontologists have uncovered five crania associated with Homo erectus. tracing back 1.8 million years .

Nevertheless, the fossil records from Western Europe remain notably sparse until 800,000 years ago.

Scientists have discovered just one tooth and some Stone Age tools from approximately 1.4 million years ago in Spain, alongside a lower jawbone from Sima del Elefante dating back to approximately 1.1 million years ago.

Close to where Pink's remains were found, scientists also uncovered stone tools crafted from quartz and flint, along with animal bones that showed distinct signs of cutting.

This suggests that Pink and their kin had established a basic tool-making industry and were skilled at butchering animals for meat, similar to what was done by Homo erectus.

Dr. Xosé Pedro Rodríguez, one of the study’s authors from the University of Rovira i Virgili (URV), comments, "These findings indicate a successful approach for obtaining sustenance and underscore the capability of these early humans to utilize the natural assets present within their habitat."

If Pink indeed belongs to the Homo erectus species, this discovery would indicate that this ancient human ancestor ranged much more extensively and appeared considerably sooner than researchers previously believed.

Who were Homo antecessor?

Homo antecessor is among the first types of humans found in Europe, with evidence tracing back as early as one million years ago.

Thought to have had a weight of approximately 14 stone, Homo antecessor was believed to be between 5.5 and 6 feet tall.

Their brain volumes ranged from approximately 1,000 to 1,150 cubic centimeters, making them smaller compared to the typical 1,350 cubic centimeter brains found in present-day humans.

It is thought that this species was likely right-handed, setting it apart from other apes, and might have employed a symbolic form of communication. This conclusion comes from archaeologists who discovered remnants near Burgos, Spain back in 1994.

Nevertheless, the researchers remain unconvinced that Pink merely belongs to this particular species of human ancestors.

Even though their skulls are alike, Pink's face has a more slender structure compared to specimens of Homo erectus discovered throughout Asia and Africa.

However, based solely on the few bones and two worn teeth available, the scientists cannot yet confirm that Pink represents a completely new species.

Rather than doing so, they chose to label Pink as 'Homo affinis erectus,' employing the Latin word 'affinis' to indicate its closeness to recognized species.

Dr. Martinón states: "There isn't enough evidence yet to make a conclusive categorization; therefore, we opted for the designation Homo affinis erectus."

She notes that this was carried out to 'recognize Pink’s similarities to Homo erectus while still allowing for the chance that the remains could be from a different species.'

The scholars contend that Pink's species was among the earliest groups to migrate into Western Europe.

However, that initial migration seems to have been halted swiftly as the climate on the Iberian Peninsula underwent a sudden shift.

When Pink resided in Spain, the Sierra de Atapuerca area was characterized by a blend of forested zones, marshy meadows, and intermittent bodies of water — creating a bountiful habitat for early human inhabitants.

However, earlier research indicates that there might have been a abrupt change in climate approximately 1.1 million years ago. which had the potential to eradicate humanity.

This might account for the significant gap in the fossil record between specimens attributed to Pink and those of the later Homo antecessor.

Dr. Eudald Carbonell, a paleontologist from URV and co-director of the project, states: "The evidence pointing to distinct hominin populations in Western Europe throughout the Early Pleistocene indicates that this area played a crucial role in the evolutionary journey of the genus Homo."

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