LINE

Text:AAAPrint
Sci-tech

Archaeologists find 400,000-year-old human skull in central Portugal: report

1
2017-03-14 09:51Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping ECNS App Download

An international team of archaeologists have discovered the oldest human fossil ever found in Portugal, a skull about 400,000 years old, Portuguese Lusa News Agency reported on Monday.

The archaeologists led by Joao Zilhao, a Portuguese national, found the skull in a cave of Aroeira, Torres Novas, in central Portugual, and presented their findings on Monday in a study published in this week's issue of the bulletin of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

"It is the oldest human fossil found in Portuguese territory and one of the oldest in Europe," Joao Zilhao said.

A human fossil has never been found from Pleistocene period (Ice Age), which covered the period from 2.5 million years ago to 11,500 years ago, in such a western part of Europe.

The archaeologist indicated that the interest of this fossil is that it is very well dated and becomes standard of reference for interpretation of other more complete fossils but not so well dated.

Excavations in the cave where this skull was found will continue as archaeologists hope to find more skeletal remains of this individual or even parts of the skull that were missing.

 

  

Related news

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.