Oldest Human Face Found in Spain Challenges Views

Fossilized fragments discovered at Sima del Elefante in northern Spain reveal the oldest known human face in Western Europe, dating between 1.1 and 1.4 million years ago, indicating a previously unknown hominin lineage. Dubbed 'Pink,' these remains suggest the presence of Homo aff. erectus, a species related to but distinct from Homo erectus, in the region. This finding challenges previous views that Homo antecessor, found in nearby Gran Dolina and dating to 800,000-900,000 years ago, was the earliest human ancestor in Western Europe. The discovery points to multiple hominin species existing around a million years ago in Europe, introducing a new actor in the evolutionary narrative of the continent. Researchers remain cautious about definitively classifying the fossil due to its unique features and ongoing analysis. This significant discovery helps fill gaps in understanding the migration and evolution of early humans across Europe.