Where were the oldest Homo sapiens fossils found?

The oldest Homo sapiens fossils found before this study were located in Jebel Irhoud, Morocco, dating to over 300,000 years ago.

How were the Moroccan fossils dated?

The Moroccan fossils were precisely dated by analyzing the geological evidence of Earth's magnetic field reversal, which occurred 773,000 years ago.

Do these new fossils change our understanding of human evolution?

Yes, they bolster the theory that Homo sapiens originated in Africa and potentially the last common ancestor of humans and Neanderthals/Denisovans.

Home / Science / Africa Birthplace of Humanity: New Fossils Rewrite History

Africa Birthplace of Humanity: New Fossils Rewrite History

7 Jan

•

Summary

Fossils in Morocco, dated over 773,000 years old, support Africa as human origin.
Oldest Homo sapiens fossils previously found were over 300,000 years old.
Dating by Earth's magnetic field reversal precisely aged Moroccan fossils.

Africa Birthplace of Humanity: New Fossils Rewrite History

Fossil discoveries unearthed in Morocco, dating back more than 773,000 years, provide compelling evidence for Africa as the original birthplace of Homo sapiens. This finding addresses a long-standing gap in the fossil record concerning human origins on the continent.

The precise age of these fossils, found in Casablanca, was determined by examining a geological event: the reversal of Earth's magnetic field approximately 773,000 years ago. This new evidence challenges previous assumptions about human evolution, which were based on older fossils found elsewhere.

These fossils, exhibiting a mix of ancient and modern human-like features, suggest that Africa was not only the origin of Homo sapiens but also potentially the origin of the last common ancestor shared with Neanderthals and Denisovans.