Experts use a technique called cosmogenic nuclide dating. He looked at the levels of rare isotopes.
Scientists have discovered that the fossils of South Africa’s oldest human ancestors are a million years older than previously thought. This is stated in the study of remains from the Sterkfontein caves, which are approximately 4 million years old, Science Alert wrote.
Sterkfontein Caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are more Australopithecus fossils there than anywhere else in the world.
Based on them, the age is estimated at 2.1-2.6 million years.
“But in order, this is not correct, because Australopithecus should not live that long,” said Laurent Brussels, one of the study’s authors.
According to him, as early as 2.2 million years ago, Homo habilis, the most ancient species of the Homo genus, including Homo sapiens, had already roamed the region.
Scientists underestimate the past age of the fossils, as they measure calcite mineral deposits that are younger than the rest of the cave. For the latest study, experts used a technique called cosmogenic nuclide dating. He looked at the levels of rare isotopes.
“For millions of years, at a distance of only 4,000 km, these species have had enough time to travel, to breed with each other … so that we can imagine a general evolution across Africa,” he added. in Brussels.
Remember that in Israel, scientists discovered an ancient mosque.
It became known what was on the site of Stonehenge
News from Athletistic in the Telegram. Subscribe to our channel Athletistic
Source: korrespondent
