Archaeologists Uncover Oldest Known Partial Face Fossil of Human Ancestor in Western Europe

This photo provided by the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution in March 2025, shows archaeological excavation work at the Sima del Elefante site in Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain, where a fossil from a hominin between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old was found. (Maria D. Guillén/IPHES-CERCA via AP)
This photo provided by the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution in March 2025, shows archaeological excavation work at the Sima del Elefante site in Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain, where a fossil from a hominin between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old was found. (Maria D. Guillén/IPHES-CERCA via AP)
TT
20

Archaeologists Uncover Oldest Known Partial Face Fossil of Human Ancestor in Western Europe

This photo provided by the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution in March 2025, shows archaeological excavation work at the Sima del Elefante site in Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain, where a fossil from a hominin between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old was found. (Maria D. Guillén/IPHES-CERCA via AP)
This photo provided by the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution in March 2025, shows archaeological excavation work at the Sima del Elefante site in Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain, where a fossil from a hominin between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old was found. (Maria D. Guillén/IPHES-CERCA via AP)

A fossil of a partial face from a human ancestor is the oldest in western Europe, archaeologists reported Wednesday.
The incomplete skull — a section of the left cheek bone and upper jaw – was found in northern Spain in 2022. The fossil is between 1.1 million and 1.4 million years old, according to research published in the journal Nature.
“The fossil is exciting," said Eric Delson, a paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History, who was not involved in the study. “It's the first time we have significant remains older than 1 million years old in western Europe.”
A collection of older fossils from early human ancestors was previously found in Georgia, near the crossroads of eastern Europe and Asia. Those are estimated to be 1.8 million years old, The Associated Press reported.
The Spanish fossil is the first evidence that clearly shows human ancestors “were taking excursions into Europe” at that time, said Rick Potts, director of the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program.
But there is not yet evidence that the earliest arrivals persisted there long, he said. “They may get to a new location and then die out,” said Potts, who had no role in the study.
The partial skull bears many similarities to Homo erectus, but there are also some anatomical differences, said study co-author Rosa Huguet, an archaeologist at the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution in Tarragona, Spain.
Homo erectus arose around 2 million years ago and moved from Africa to regions of Asia and Europe, with the last individuals dying out around 100,000 years ago, said Potts.
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, said University of Zurich paleoanthropologist Christoph Zollikofer, who was not involved in the study.
The same cave complex in Spain's Atapuerca Mountains where the new fossil was found also previously yielded other significant clues to the ancient human past. Researchers working in the region have also found more recent fossils from Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens.



Culture Ministry Partners with TikTok to Boost Saudi Cultural Sector

Officials sign the agreement during a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials sign the agreement during a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture in Riyadh. (SPA)
TT
20

Culture Ministry Partners with TikTok to Boost Saudi Cultural Sector

Officials sign the agreement during a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials sign the agreement during a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Culture signed on Monday a cooperation agreement with TikTok to strengthen collaboration across various fields, aiming to support and empower Saudi Arabia's cultural and artistic landscape by leveraging digital technology to enrich cultural experiences and enhance public awareness of cultural and heritage values.

The agreement was signed by Deputy Minister of National Partnerships and Talent Development Noha Kattan on behalf of the ministry, and CEO of Government Relations and Public Policy at TikTok in Saudi Arabia Dr. Hatem Samman during a ceremony at the Ministry of Culture in Riyadh.

The agreement outlines joint initiatives to serve the community, reinforce cultural and social values in line with the National Culture Strategy under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and organize workshops and training programs to develop Saudi artistic talent and support cultural events hosted in the Kingdom.

As part of the ministry's broader efforts to collaborate with digital platforms, this partnership contributes to the development of the Saudi cultural scene and the promotion of national cultural identity through modern channels that embrace rapid digital transformation. This strategic approach includes partnerships with entities across the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

The collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and TikTok aims to boost cultural and creative content, support Saudi talent in diverse artistic fields, highlight the Kingdom's cultural and social role, and promote its heritage, all within the framework of the National Culture Strategy and the Kingdom Vision 2030.