Important fossil discoveries
These are the oldest human remains found in Europe.
Remains of over 80 fossils representing at least 6 individuals and including skeletal and cranial remains were found at Gran Dolina in Atapuerca, Spain, between 1994-1996. These remains date to at least 780,000 years old. Due to the unique combination of features, the discovers believed that they had found a new species. The name Homo antecessor was announced in 1997 by JL Arsuaga.
In 2007-2008 researchers working at Sima del Elefante, also in Atapuerca, recovered remains dating to about 1.2 million years ago. The human fossils included an isolated molar and a jaw bone with some front teeth (ATE9-1). The molar was described as belonging to an individual aged between 20 and 25 years and being ‘well worn’. Other remains included stone flakes and butchered animal bones.
The type specimen for this species is ATD 6-69 (Hominid 3). It is the cranium of a 10-year old juvenile found at Gran Dolina. Some experts claim that having a juvenile as a type specimen is a problem as some of the features may simply be juvenile traits that are lost in the adults of the species. However, a comparison to juveniles of other species shows these traits to be unique to these remains.