The 773,000-year-old fossils, including three partial lower jaws, several vertebrae, and teeth, were discovered in a cave in Morocco’s Thomas Quarry. They have some characteristics of Homo erectus, which evolved in Africa some two million years ago. Some Homo erectus groups migrated out of Africa, and reached Europe about 800,000 years ago. Those in Spain, known as Homo antecessor, are thought to be direct ancestors of Neanderthals. Yet, he explained, these newly found fossils are distinct from both Homo erectus and Homo antecessor.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 10, 2026 08:59 UTC