New human species discovered in Israel

An international group of archaeologists have discovered new human species in Israel which is being considered as a missing piece in the history of human evolution.

Key Points

• Excavations were done at Israeli site of Nesher Ramla.
• Archaeologists have recovered a skull which might represent a late-surviving example of a distinct Homo population.
• It is expected that, they lived about 420,000 to 120,000 years ago.

What was discovered?

• Archaeologists discovered pieces of skull, including a right parietal (towards the back/side of the skull).
• They also discovered a mandible (jaw) which dates back to 140,000–120,000 years old. Analysis finds that, this jaw belonged to person who were neither fully Homo sapiens nor were Neanderthal.
• They found a parietal bone featured “archaic” traits that are different from both early and recent Homo sapiens.
• Bone is considerably thicker than those found in Neanderthals and other homo sapiens.
• Jaw and bones together display archaic features as well as Neanderthal features, which are distinct from early homo sapiens and later Neanderthals.

Lady of Tabun

As per researchers, fossils like famous Lady of Tabun, found at other Israeli sites might be part of this newly excavated human population. “Lady of Tabun” was discovered in 1932 by pioneering archaeologist Yusra.

Traces of fire

Bones of animals caught, butchered, and eaten on-site were also excavated. It indicates Nesher Ramla Homo hunted species like gazelle, tortoise, aurochs, boar and ostrich. Also, they were using fire to cook their meals. It is evident through excavation of a campfire feature of same age as the fossils.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2021