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Fossil Proves We're All African

Moroccan find sets human origins back 100,000 years

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Mar 14, 2007 7:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – An ancient jawbone found in Morocco suggests that modern human ancestry emerged 100,000 years earlier than previously believed—and in Africa, rather than Europe. Until now, scientists believed that modern humans didn't emerge until 20,000 to 30,000 years ago. But the Moroccan bone is 160,000 years old, with teeth that show a lengthy childhood—indicating the ability to create a complex society.

Although homo sapiens are believed to have emerged around 200,000 years ago in Africa, this is the first evidence on that continent of a capability for human society. Chris Stringer, a leading evolutionary scholar, questions the study's exact findings, but says it shows "that North Africa may well have played a significant part in our origins."

An unrelated fossil ((c) Greencolander)

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Fossil Proves We're All African

Moroccan find sets human origins back 100,000 years

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Kenyan Fossil Rattles Human Family Tree

Skull suggests two precursors were actually concurrent

Fossil Find Shakes Up Evolution Timeline

Ardipithecus ramidus lived in trees and walked upright

Meet the First European

Forensic artist reconstructs face of first modern human found in Europe

New Fossil Rocks Human History

Indicates man settled in Europe far earlier than thought

Shark Jaw Found in Kentucky Mine

It's from a shark comparable to a great white, experts say

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Moroccan find sets human origins back 100,000 years

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Africa • evolution • Morocco • origins of humanity • fossil • jawbone • modern man • homo sapien

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Kenyan Fossil Rattles Human Family Tree

Skull suggests two precursors were actually concurrent

Fossil Find Shakes Up Evolution Timeline

Ardipithecus ramidus lived in trees and walked upright

Meet the First European

Forensic artist reconstructs face of first modern human found in Europe

New Fossil Rocks Human History

Indicates man settled in Europe far earlier than thought

Shark Jaw Found in Kentucky Mine

It's from a shark comparable to a great white, experts say

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Newser By Users

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