TheHomoaffiniserectusfragment was discovered in 2022 and is between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old.
The species name can be shortened toHomoaff.erectus.
In taxonomy, aff.
A 3D image and original fossil of a Homo aff. erectus individual found at Sima del Elefante.Image: Maria D. Guillén / IPHES-CERCA / Elena Santos / CENIEH.
(In Spanish,La Cara Oculta de la Luna,withCarabeing interpreted as either side or face.)
The discovery reveals aspects of hominin migration and evolution farther back in time than other hominin remains from Europe.
A species, possibly related toHomo erectus, would have given way toHomo antecessor.
A small animal rib with cut marks found on the site. Graphic: Nature / Maria D. Guillén / IPHES-CERCA.
Whereas our face and that ofH.
antecessoris vertical and flat,Homoaff.erectus face projects forward, similar toHomo erectusspecimens.
It may be an entirely different species.
The archaeological work at Sima del Elefante. Photo: Maria D. Guillén / IPHES-CERCA.
The population is a snapshot of the groups that entered Europe when the climatic conditions allowed, Martinon-Torres said.
Its been a heady week for human origins research.
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