Ancient Human Ancestor Discovered in Morocco

Quick Smiles:

• Fossils from 700,000 years ago found in a Moroccan cave may reveal important clues about our evolutionary past.
• Scientists uncovered jawbones, teeth, and more, suggesting a lush landscape once thrived where the desert now lies.
• The remains could help bridge gaps in our understanding of ancient human migration and ancestry.

An exciting fossil discovery in Morocco is shining new light on a pivotal time in human evolution. Researchers found fossils dating back 700,000 years in a cave near Casablanca, including adult and child jawbones, teeth, and a vertebra attached to a predator-bitten femur.

The ancient landscape around the cave was once a flourishing wetland, home to animals like crocodiles, hippos, and large cats, in stark contrast to today’s arid scenery.

The fossils, resembling those previously discovered at Gran Dolina in Spain, may belong to a population from the era when African and Eurasian hominins diverged.

Jean-Jacques Hublin, lead researcher and anthropologist, believes these findings support the theory of a deep African origin for modern humans.

While the puzzle of early human migration remains unsolved, this discovery provides valuable pieces, highlighting the diversity and complexity of our shared ancestry.

“Human evolution is largely a history of extinctions,” said Dr. Hublin. “It is difficult to say whether the small Grotte à Hominidés population left any descendants, but it provides a good picture of what the last common ancestor may have been like.”

Every find like this brings us a step closer to understanding our remarkable journey across the ages.

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