Discovered mysterious skull bones 400,000 years old in Portugal

A skull fossil dating back to about 400,000 years old discovered in Portugal is making scientists debate the ancestors of modern humans and human evolution.

According to the journal of the National Academy of Sciences, the fossil was found in an archaeological project in 2014 in the cave area of ​​Aroeira. This is the oldest human fossil bone ever found in Portugal.

Binghamton University's anthropologist Rolf Quam, who is also an author of the study, said there is controversy surrounding the origin of the skull.

The fossil skull 400,000 years old is found in the cave area of ​​Aroeira.(Source: phys.org).

Based on a number of bone characteristics, Quam's team believes that the skull is not of Neanderthals - a species in the extinct genus, but may belong to the ancestors of Neanderthals . Besides, scientists have not been able to determine whether the skull is male or female as well as the cause of death.

However, based on the surface characteristics of the rock cliffs and surrounding sediments, the team identified the fossil dating back to about 400,000 years old. Meanwhile, the bone structure shows that this is an adult's skull.

According to Portuguese archaeologist Joao Zilhao, the human skull fossil at Aroeira cave is a rare discovery and has important implications for archeology. In the coming time, experts will continue to study in detail about the skull and environment of Aroeira cave area so as to build a panorama of ancient life as well as human evolution. in this area.

This 400,000-year-old fossil will be on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Lisbon this October.