Lorraine Williamson
Archaeologists at Sima del Elefante in Atapuerca, northern Spain, have uncovered the remains of the earliest known hominin in Western Europe. The fossils, dated between 1.1 and 1.4 million years old, provide new evidence about early human migrations to the continent.
The discovery, published in the journal Nature, has been widely reported by Spanish media, including Cadena SER.
What is a Hominin?
Hominins are members of the human lineage that evolved after splitting from the common ancestor shared with chimpanzees. This group includes modern humans (Homo sapiens), extinct human species, and their immediate ancestors, such as Homo erectus and Homo neanderthalensis. Unlike earlier primates, hominins are characterised by bipedalism, larger brain sizes, and the use of tools.
Who was “Pink”?
The remains belong to a hominin classified as Homo aff. erectus, a species related to Homo erectus but not yet fully identified. Researchers have nicknamed the individual “Pink” after the band Pink Floyd and their album The Dark Side of the Moon. The reference alludes to the concept of a “hidden face”—in this case, a previously unknown ancestor. The name also pays tribute to Rosa Huguet, a lead researcher on the project.
What the fossils reveal
In 2022, archaeologists unearthed a partial midface, including a jawbone and a zygomatic bone. These remains lay two metres below a lower jaw discovered in 2007. This finding suggests that multiple hominin species may have coexisted in Europe. Homo aff. erectus and Homo antecessor likely shared the landscape during the early Pleistocene.
What was the Pleistocene period?
The Pleistocene, often called the Ice Age, lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. It was marked by repeated glacial cycles, during which ice sheets expanded and retreated. This period saw the evolution of several hominin species, including early members of the genus Homo, who adapted to diverse and changing environments.
Life in the early Pleistocene
Analysis of the Atapuerca site indicates a mix of forests, wetlands, and seasonal water sources. Hominins here used basic stone tools to process animal remains. Cut marks on bones suggest a clear understanding of available food sources and hunting techniques.
Significance for human evolution
Marina Mosquera, director of IPHES-CERCA and a lead researcher on the project, highlights Atapuerca’s role in studying human origins. “This discovery strengthens Atapuerca’s status as a global reference for human evolution,” she says. José María Bermúdez de Castro, a co-director of the project, sees this as a breakthrough moment. “This find could mark the beginning of a new phase in Atapuerca’s research, deepening our understanding of early human migrations and settlement patterns in Europe,” he explains.
The discovery of “Pink” offers another piece in the puzzle of human evolution.