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Wicked Blue

(6,545 posts)
Fri Jun 2, 2023, 09:48 AM Jun 2023

Newly discovered stone tools drag dawn of Greek archaeology back by a quarter-million years

NBC

June 2, 2023, 4:39 AM EDT / Source: Associated Press
By Associated Press

Deep in an open coal mine in southern Greece, researchers have discovered the antiquities-rich country’s oldest archaeological site, which dates to 700,000 years ago and is associated with modern humans’ hominin ancestors.

The find announced Thursday would drag the dawn of Greek archaeology back by as much as a quarter of a million years, although older hominin sites have been discovered elsewhere in Europe. The oldest, in Spain, dates to more than a million years ago.

The Greek site was one of five investigated in the Megalopolis area during a five-year project involving an international team of experts, a Culture Ministry statement said.

It was found to contain rough stone tools from the Lower Palaeolithic period — about 3.3 million to 300,000 years ago — and the remains of an extinct species of giant deer, elephants, hippopotamus, rhinoceros and a macaque monkey.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/newly-discovered-stone-tools-drag-dawn-greek-archaeology-back-quarter-rcna87381

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Newly discovered stone tools drag dawn of Greek archaeology back by a quarter-million years (Original Post) Wicked Blue Jun 2023 OP
question. stopdiggin Jun 2023 #1
A recent post stated that there doesn't appear to be one point of origin, but five (so far). That Karadeniz Jun 2023 #2
Humans went extinct out of Africa at least twice. GreenWave Jun 2023 #3
that doesn't sound right stopdiggin Jun 2023 #4
The most recent exit of humans from Africa is the only sustained one. GreenWave Jun 2023 #5
I'm sorry, I misunderstood. stopdiggin Jun 2023 #6
Hominid extinctions outside of Africa? wnylib Jun 2023 #9
There were several waves of migration out of Africa. wnylib Jun 2023 #10
The Devil has clouded their minds! Judi Lynn Jun 2023 #7
LOL Wicked Blue Jun 2023 #8

stopdiggin

(12,660 posts)
1. question.
Fri Jun 2, 2023, 09:58 AM
Jun 2023

what is a generally accepted date for hominid dispersal out of Africa?

and 2nd - what species would generally be consider the first? (OoA)

Karadeniz

(23,327 posts)
2. A recent post stated that there doesn't appear to be one point of origin, but five (so far). That
Fri Jun 2, 2023, 10:10 AM
Jun 2023

might help you find more info!

stopdiggin

(12,660 posts)
4. that doesn't sound right
Fri Jun 2, 2023, 10:20 AM
Jun 2023

has to be a good deal of qualification to add to that statement

(I have heard of 'bottleneck' incidents proposed for populations. Extinctions?)

GreenWave

(8,869 posts)
5. The most recent exit of humans from Africa is the only sustained one.
Fri Jun 2, 2023, 10:24 AM
Jun 2023

Two previous exits resulted in non-survival elsewhere. Africa was fortunately in its boom cycle to allow for a third migration.

stopdiggin

(12,660 posts)
6. I'm sorry, I misunderstood.
Fri Jun 2, 2023, 10:32 AM
Jun 2023

Extinctions outside of Africa. That completely makes sense. (in fact, I guess all hominid dispersals - excepting sapiens - might be considered as such .. )
Thanks again.

wnylib

(24,147 posts)
9. Hominid extinctions outside of Africa?
Mon Jun 5, 2023, 09:04 PM
Jun 2023

I guess that's sort of true. Homo erectus, Heidelbergensis, Neanderthal, and Denisovans no longer exist as their own separate species or sub species.

But Erectus was the forerunner that the rest descended from. Neanderthal and Denisovan genes still exist in Sapiens through interbreeding. So, in a way, they all still live on in modern humans. Our forerunners went extinct as separate hominids but blended with Homo sapiens, making us "hybrids."



wnylib

(24,147 posts)
10. There were several waves of migration out of Africa.
Mon Jun 5, 2023, 09:28 PM
Jun 2023

Sapiens (modern humans) are the most recent ones.

Homo erectus (first upright hominids standing on two feet) were first to leave Africa. Meantime, upright hominids within Africa continued to evolve and Heidelbergensis was next. He's believed to be the common ancestor of Neanderthal and Denisovans who evolved later. Denisovans, found mostly in East and South Asia, is likely an offshoot of Neanderthal.

When Sapiens (modern humans) evolved in Africa and became the last wave to leave Africa, they interbred with Neanderthals and Denisovans. Modern humans (except for people in Sub Saharan Africa) are a mix of Sapiens, Neanderthal, and Denisovan.

Here are the hominids who left Africa and their timelines.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_human_migrations


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