Spanish fossils may represent unknown ancient human species

Scientists have unearthed in Spain fossilised facial bones roughly 1.1 million to 1.4 million years old that may represent a previously unknown species in the human evolutionary lineage.

Scientists have unearthed in Spain fossilised facial bones roughly 1.1 million to 1.4 million years old that may represent a previously unknown species in the human evolutionary lineage - a discovery that rewrites humankind's early history in Europe.

The fossils from the Sima del Elefante cave site near the city of Burgos comprise fragments spanning 80% of the left side of an adult individual's middle face, including parts of the cheekbone and upper jaw with the nasal structure. They are among the oldest-known human fossils from Europe.

The researchers nicknamed the fossil "Pink," honoring the band Pink Floyd.

Pink's facial anatomy was more primitive than that of Homo antecessor, a species known to have inhabited Western Europe roughly 850,000 years ago whose slender midface resembled modern people. Pink possessed a more projected and massive midface than Homo antecessor, and displayed some similarities to - but also differences with - Homo erectus, thought to be the first human species to have migrated out of Africa.

The researchers said the fossils were not complete enough to conclude that Pink belonged to a yet-unnamed ancient human species but said this was a real possibility. They assigned the fossil the provisional name Homo affinis erectus in recognition of its affinities to certain Homo erectus traits.

"These findings open a new line of research in the study of human evolution in Europe, as they introduce a new player in the early occupation of Europe," said archaeologist Rosa Huguet of the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA) in Spain, lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature.

"When we have more fossil remains, we will be able to say more about this species," Huguet said.