A remarkable discovery in northern Spain has given archaeologists and paleoanthropologists an exciting glimpse into the early human past. A partial fossil of a human ancestor, specifically a fragment of the left cheekbone and upper jaw, was uncovered in 2022, making it the oldest known human ancestor fossil found in western Europe. The fossil is estimated to be between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old, marking a significant milestone in the study of human evolution. This find, published in the prestigious journal Nature, has the potential to alter our understanding of the early migration and development of human species in Europe.
A Groundbreaking Find in the Atapuerca Mountains
The fossil was discovered in the Atapuerca Mountains, a region in northern Spain that has long been a rich source of ancient human fossils. The area, part of a complex of caves, has already yielded numerous important discoveries, including fossils from later hominin species such as Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens. However, this latest find is the oldest fossil of its kind ever discovered in western Europe, and it adds an important piece to the puzzle of human ancestry.
The Atapuerca region is renowned for its wealth of paleontological sites, and the discovery of this partial skull fragment is an exciting development for researchers. It provides crucial insight into the migration and evolutionary history of early human ancestors who lived during a time of significant climatic and ecological changes. The fossil’s age—ranging from 1.1 to 1.4 million years—puts it in the early phase of the human evolutionary timeline, which is a time when early humans were beginning to migrate out of Africa and spread across various parts of Europe and Asia.
What Makes the Find So Special?
The fossil fragment consists of a section of the left cheekbone and upper jaw, a relatively rare and valuable find in the field of paleoanthropology. These types of bones can provide researchers with a wealth of information about the anatomy, diet, and evolutionary relationships of early human species. While it’s only a small portion of the skull, it still offers essential clues about the species to which the individual may have belonged. Given the fragment’s age, it is likely from an early human ancestor species such as Homo erectus or a closely related hominin, although more research is needed to confirm its exact identity.
Eric Delson, a prominent paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History, expressed his excitement over the discovery, noting, “The fossil is exciting. It’s the first time we have significant remains older than 1 million years old in western Europe.” This is a crucial milestone, as it opens up new avenues for understanding the migration patterns of early humans in a region where fossils older than 1 million years were previously unknown. Before this discovery, the oldest fossils from early human ancestors found in Europe were much younger, with many discoveries dating back to around 600,000 to 800,000 years ago.
The Significance of the Discovery
The importance of this fossil lies not only in its age but also in its potential to provide insights into the migration of human ancestors from Africa into Europe. Prior to this find, a collection of older fossils from early human ancestors had been discovered in Georgia, at the crossroads of eastern Europe and Asia. These fossils are estimated to be around 1.8 million years old, offering an even earlier glimpse into the movement of hominins beyond Africa. However, the new fossil in Spain is the first to provide evidence of early human presence in western Europe during a time when much of the continent was still covered by dense forests and other challenging environments for early humans.
For decades, scientists have debated the routes and timing of human migration out of Africa. The discovery of this fossil adds significant weight to the hypothesis that human ancestors may have reached western Europe earlier than previously believed, long before the appearance of Neanderthals or Homo sapiens. The fossil from Spain could shed new light on the characteristics of early human populations in Europe and how they adapted to the continent’s changing climate and environments.
Paleoanthropologist Christoph Zollikofer, from the University of Zurich, acknowledged the challenges in identifying the species of early humans based on a single fragment. He pointed out that, “It can be challenging to identify which group of early humans a fossil find belongs to if there’s only a single fragment versus many bones that show a range of features.” However, even with such limitations, the fossil represents an extraordinary opportunity to explore the evolutionary links between early human populations across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The Atapuerca Caves: A Hotbed of Ancient Human Fossils
The Atapuerca cave complex, where this fossil was discovered, has a long and storied history of uncovering significant paleontological finds. Excavations in the region have provided researchers with an extensive collection of fossils and artifacts, many of which have expanded our knowledge of human evolution. In addition to the recent discovery, the caves have yielded fossils from later human species such as Neanderthals, as well as the remains of early Homo sapiens.
Among the key discoveries at Atapuerca are the remains of Homo antecessor, an early human species that lived in the region around 800,000 years ago. Fossils from Homo antecessor have provided invaluable insight into the characteristics and behaviors of human ancestors living in Europe during the Lower Paleolithic period. Researchers have also uncovered remains from the species Homo heidelbergensis, a close relative of Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens, which further complicates the story of human evolution in Europe.
The Atapuerca region is also known for its wealth of animal fossils, which allow scientists to reconstruct the ancient ecosystems in which early humans lived. By studying the plant and animal remains alongside human fossils, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the environments that shaped the evolution of early human species. This wealth of data from Atapuerca makes it one of the most important archaeological sites for understanding the early history of human beings in Europe.
What’s Next for the Study of Human Evolution?
This new fossil from Spain is a game-changer, but it also raises many questions that will require years of further study to answer. Researchers will now focus on determining the species to which this fossil belongs and how it fits into the broader picture of human evolution in Europe. The study of ancient DNA, if it is preserved in the fossil remains, could provide even more insights into the genetic makeup of early human ancestors and how they were related to other hominin species across the globe.
Additionally, the discovery of this fossil underscores the importance of continued excavation and exploration in the Atapuerca caves. There are likely more significant finds to be made, which could further clarify the timeline of human migration and the development of different human species. As technology continues to advance, researchers will be able to employ new methods of analysis, including more sophisticated dating techniques and advanced imaging technologies, to extract even more information from fossil fragments.
The fossil from northern Spain is an important reminder that the story of human evolution is far from complete. While many of the key questions about our distant ancestors have been answered, there is still much to learn about the migration, adaptation, and evolution of early humans. Every new discovery, like this one in the Atapuerca Mountains, helps fill in the gaps of this complex and ongoing story.
Conclusion
The discovery of a partial human ancestor fossil in northern Spain provides a vital clue in understanding the early human presence in Europe. At an estimated age of 1.1 to 1.4 million years, this find is the oldest of its kind in western Europe and challenges previous assumptions about the timing and routes of human migration. The fossil’s significance extends beyond its age, offering a unique opportunity to explore the evolutionary history of early human species and their interaction with the environment. As further research unfolds, the discovery in Atapuerca will undoubtedly remain an important landmark in the study of human evolution.
Reference: Rosa Huguet et al, The earliest human face of Western Europe, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08681-0