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Skull Find Shakes Up Theories on Early Humanity

Remains found in Georgia suggest mankind's evolution had Eurasian chapter

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 9, 2009 6:06 AM CDT

(Newser) – Theories of human evolution have been thrown into disarray by ancient human remains found in Georgia, the Independent reports. The skulls, unearthed near Tbilisi, are from 1.8 million years ago, 800,000 years before modern humanity's ancestors were believed to have first moved out of Africa. The find, scientists say, suggests our ancient ancestors evolved into modern humans in Eurasia before migrating back to Africa.

Researchers believe the early humans found had brains around half the size of those of modern humans, walked upright, and were proficient tool makers. "The Dmanisi hominins are the earliest representatives of our own genus—Homo—outside Africa," a Georgian professor said. "They might be ancestral to all later Homo erectus populations, which would suggest a Eurasian origin of Homo erectus."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

This skull was one of five remains of primitive humans found at the Dminisi archaeological site near Tbilisi. (Georgian National Museum)

This skull found in Georgia is among the oldest human remains ever found outside Africa. (Georgian National Museum)

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The question is whether Homo erectus originated in Africa or Eurasia, and if in Eurasia, did we have vice-versa migration?
- Professor David Lordkipanidze, general director of the Georgia National Museum

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 33 comments

LiberalJesus

Sep 11, 2009 12:07 PM CDT

Makes you wonder how those who truly think the world is 8000 years old square themselves with the scientific community. If I thought 2+2=yellow but the consensus was 4, I'd have to at least research what I believed just to make sure that I was right and yellow was the answer. I still think we came from goo-pods and Darth Vader is our lord but darn the luck I cant seem to build any consensus behind that one so I keep that thought to myself.....or used to..lol

bewilderbeast

Sep 10, 2009 10:26 AM CDT

And check this out: Fascinating! http://www.bradshawfoundation..../

bewilderbeast

Sep 10, 2009 10:22 AM CDT

Old bones are last century, people. This is where it's now at: The analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) OF LIVING HUMANS has been a potent tool in our understanding of human evolution, owing to characteristics such as high copy number, apparent lack of recombination1, high substitution rate2 and maternal mode of inheritance3. See: http://www.familytreedna.com/p...

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Science • World

origins of humanity • Georgia • skull • human evolution • homo sapiens • hominids • Homo erectus

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Skull Find Shakes Up Theories on Early Humanity