Scientists have discovered a new human ancestor in Western Europe, nicknamed “Pink,” with features unlike any other known species from this region. The partial remains, found at the Atapuerca site in northern Spain, are dated to between 1.1 and 1.4 million years old.
Researchers created a narrow, flat face from the recovered jaw and cheekbone, which differs significantly from expected modern features. Pink’s facial structure is more similar to that of Homo erectus, the first humans to leave Africa and use fire.
The discovery suggests an older, previously unknown species arrived in Western Europe before Homo antecessor, with possible overlaps or separations in time and space. The team assigned a temporary name, Homo affinis erectus (H. aff. erectus), acknowledging its similarities to Homo erectus while leaving room for further classification.
Further analysis of the site revealed stone tools, animal remains with cut marks, and evidence of a “chronological gap” between the Pink discovery and the neighboring H. antecessor find. This discontinuity may represent a population decline or opening for new migrants, aligning with genetic research indicating a human diversity bottleneck around 900,000 years ago.
Excavations at Sima del Elefante continue to uncover more questions about this mysterious hominin, which is shedding light on the early history of humans in Western Europe.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/face-of-overlooked-human-ancestor-could-set-record-in-western-europe