1.95-Million-Year-Old Evidence of Hominin Activity Discovered in Romania

Evidence of hominin activity has been discovered in Romania, dating back to approximately 1.95 million years, significantly altering the timeline of human presence in Europe. Fossil remains, found at the Granuncanu site in the Olte River valley, have provided the earliest known evidence of hominin activity in the region. The discovery indicates that early humans reached Europe about half a million years earlier than previously thought. The findings suggest that early hominins were adapted to temperate and seasonal environments, earlier than previous evidence had suggested.

Findings from the Grăunceanu fossil site

according to a Study published in Nature CommunicationsThe fauna, from Granunkonu, part of the Tetoiu Formation, was analysed, showing cut marks consistent with hominin butchering techniques. The research team, led by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Ohio University, examined more than 4,500 specimens for modifications, including anthropogenic markings. Of these, 20 bones displayed surface marks, with seven identified as cut-marks with high confidence. These marks were found on animal tibias and mandibles, demonstrating desecrated practices.

Dating Techniques and Environmental Insights

As reported by Phys.orgHigh-precision laser ablation U-Pb dating was used on dentine samples from the site, providing minimum fossil ages ranging from 2.01 to 1.87 million years, with an average age of 1.95 million years. These findings align with biogeographic estimates, establishing Grăunceanu as the oldest evidence of hominin activity in Europe. Isotope analysis of a horse molar suggested a temperate woodland-grassland environment with heavy seasonal rainfall, and fauna indicated mild winters, which would have supported hominin habitat during the interglacial period.

Implications for hominin migration

Grăunceanu’s evidence challenges previous theories that hominins first established themselves in Georgia, as seen at the Dmanisi site. This discovery implies that early humans spread across a wider range of environments than previously understood, demonstrating significant ecological adaptability. The presence of warm-adapted species, such as pangolins and ostriches, further highlights favorable conditions that may have facilitated this migration.