Ancient human face fossil discovered in Spain, dates 1.1 million years

Researchers in Northern Spain have discovered the oldest known facial bones of a hominin in Western Europe, dating between 1.1 and 1.4 million years old. Unearthed at the Atapuerca site, these fossilized remains, nicknamed 'Pink,' include portions of an adult's upper jaw and cheekbone, significantly predating the previous oldest known species in the region, Homo antecessor. The discovery suggests that early human ancestors may have migrated to Europe from the east around this time, with Pink's anatomical features resembling those of Homo erectus rather than Homo antecessor, indicating a potentially new chapter in human evolution. The study, published in the journal Nature, highlights the importance of this find in understanding the presence and adaptation of early human species in Europe. Although the exact classification of Pink remains uncertain, researchers are cautious yet open to the possibility of it representing a previously unknown species. This discovery adds to the significant paleoanthropological findings in the Atapuerca Mountains, a site known for its rich history in human evolution studies.