Press release Paleontology: Moroccan hominin fossils shed light on the emergence of modern humans (Nature)Hominin fossils discovered in Casablanca, Morocco, which have been dated to about 773,000 years ago, may be close ancestors of modern humans. The last common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans, are thought to have lived around 765–550 thousand years ago. The Moroccan fossils combine ancient features seen in species such as Homo erectus with more modern traits found in H. sapiens and Neanderthals. The Moroccan fossils may not be the last common ancestors to modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans, but may be close ancestors, the authors note. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09914-yNews & Views: Of all the quarries: Casablanca fossils reveal African ancestors of Homo sapienshttps://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03986-6© 2026 Springer Nature Limited.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 08, 2026 15:33 UTC