Researchers discover an ancient human that lived around 1,00,000 years ago
The finds consist of a partial skull and jaw from an individual who lived between 1,40,000 and 1,20,000 years ago. The scientists have named the newly-discovered lineage the "Nesher Ramla Homo type”.
Hyderabad: Researchers in Israel have discovered a previously unknown type of ancient human who co-existed with our species around 1,00,000 years ago.
They believe the remains uncovered near the city of Ramla are those of one of the “final survivors” of a long-extinct ancient human race.
The finds consist of a partial skull and jaw from an individual who lived between 1,40,000 and 1,20,000 years ago. The scientists have named the newly-discovered lineage the “Nesher Ramla Homo type”.
This undated photo provided by Yossi Zaidner in June 2021 shows the Nesher Ramla, Israel human ancestor excavation site. Photo: AP
The team of researchers excavated a partial skull and jaw from a person who lived between 1,40,000 and 1,20,000 years near the city of Ramla that could not be matched to any known species of the Homo genus, which includes contemporary humans (Homo sapiens).
“The morphology of the Nesher Ramla humans shares features with both Neanderthals… and archaic Homo,” the researchers said in a statement, adding that the discovery can give a general picture of Neanderthal evolution.
This undated photo provided by Tal Rogovski in June 2021 shows a Levallois point stone tool discovered in the Nesher Ramla, Israel human ancestor excavation site in Israel. Photo: AP
“This type of Homo is very unlike modern humans – displaying a completely different skull structure, no chin, and very large teeth,” they added.
Along with the human remains, the dig uncovered large quantities of animal bones as well as stone tools.
The team thinks that early members of the Nesher Ramla Homo group were already present in the Near East some 4,00,000 years ago. The researchers have noticed resemblances between the new finds and ancient “pre-Neanderthal” groups in Europe.
“The European Neanderthal actually began here in the Levant and migrated to Europe, while interbreeding with other groups of humans. Others might have travelled east to India and China,” the researchers say while suggesting a connection between East Asian archaic humans and Neanderthals in Europe.
