😳 This 1.5-Million-Year-Old Face Changes Our View of History!

Researchers have succeeded in reconstructing the skull of an individual from the family of early humans, discovered in Ethiopia. This digital reconstruction thus offers a unique portrait of a being who lived during a pivotal period for the history of our genus.

The individual, named DAN5, was found at the Gona site in the Afar region. To conduct their study, the scientists used high-resolution scanners to create a three-dimensional model from bone and tooth fragments. By assembling these pieces like a puzzle on a computer, they obtained the most complete face ever recovered from the Horn of Africa for this period. This meticulous work took nearly a year.


The analysis of this skull shows that this individual, identified as a Homo erectus, presents a mix of characteristics. The braincase resembles that of classic Homo erectus, but the face and teeth are closer to earlier species. For example, a rather flat nasal ridge and large molars are observed. These traits were already known in Eurasia, but this is the first time they have been observed on an African fossil from this period.

According to the researchers, this combination of traits could be explained by several scenarios. Consequently, it is possible that the Gona population retained archaic characteristics after the first out-of-Africa dispersal. This phenomenon would highlight a greater anatomical diversity than previously thought among the early representatives of our genus. The work, published in Nature Communications, thus prompts a reconsideration of how Homo erectus evolved and dispersed.

The Gona site is a major location for understanding human evolution, with fossils dating back more than 6 million years and stone tools. In the vicinity of the DAN5 fossil, tools from the Oldowan and Acheulean traditions were also found, forming one of the oldest direct associations between a hominin fossil and these technologies. These discoveries therefore help trace the development of technical skills in early humans.

Future studies will aim to compare this fossil with other specimens discovered in Europe, such as those attributed to Homo erectus or Homo antecessor. These comparisons could shed light on facial variability within Homo erectus and its adaptation to different environments. Furthermore, the teams mention the possibility of genetic interbreeding between species, a phenomenon observed later in human evolution, but more fossils will be needed to confirm this hypothesis.

3D Modeling in Paleontology

The reconstruction of fossils like DAN5 relies on advanced digital techniques. First, researchers use micro-CT scanners to obtain highly detailed images of bone fragments. This data then allows for the creation of precise 3D models on a computer, without risking damage to the originals. This method has become common in paleoanthropology.

The virtual assembly of the pieces follows well-established anatomical principles. Scientists thus rely on their knowledge of human and animal skull structure to position each fragment. They can also refer to other fossils to guide the reconstruction. This iterative process often requires several attempts before achieving a coherent result.

These reconstructions offer many advantages. They allow for the precise study of fragile or incomplete fossils and the easy sharing of models with other researchers worldwide. Furthermore, they can be used to produce 3D prints for teaching or museology. This technology has thus profoundly transformed the exploration of the past.

The future of these methods includes the use of artificial intelligence to assist with assembly or the simulation of soft tissues. This approach could yield even more details about the appearance of our ancestors, but it still requires rigorous validation by specialists.