Re-writing Human History: Uncovering 9.7 Million Year Old Teeth in Europe

In summary, researchers have discovered fossil teeth in Germany that may require a rewrite of human history. They were found next to the remains of an extinct horse, which helped date them to be 9.7 million years old. The study will be published on Researchgate in a week and is causing some skepticism due to lack of details on the dating method used.
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  • #2
Gads. That really is remarkable if it pans out. The fact that they held off publication for a year because they could hardly believe it, but then did publish, seems to lend credence to it, but I'm still dubious.
 
  • #3
I'm more than slightly dubious. 'Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof' - Carl Sagan / M Truzzi
 
  • #4
The teeth were found next to the remains of an extinct genus of horse, which helped them date the teeth.
That doesn't seem like particularly strong evidence for the age of the teeth.

A preprint of the study is available here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320518472_A_new_great_ape_with_startling_resemblances_to_African_members_of_the_hominin_tribe_excavated_from_the_Mid-Vallesian_Dinotheriensande_of_Eppelsheim_First_report_Hominoidea_Miocene_MN_9_Proto-Rhine_Riv
 
  • #5
No mention of the dating method used, except this: "The teeth were found next to the remains of an extinct genus of horse, which helped them date the teeth". Would like to know exactly how they arrived to the 9.7 million year estimate.
 

What is the significance of finding 9.7M year old teeth in Europe?

The discovery of 9.7M year old teeth in Europe is significant because it pushes back the timeline for the presence of human ancestors in Europe. It suggests that human ancestors were present in Europe much earlier than previously thought and may have played a role in the evolution of other species in the region.

What species do the 9.7M year old teeth belong to?

The species that the 9.7M year old teeth belong to is currently unknown. However, they are most likely from an early human ancestor that has not yet been identified.

How were the 9.7M year old teeth preserved?

The 9.7M year old teeth were preserved in sediment layers that were deposited in a region with low oxygen levels, which prevented the teeth from decaying. The sediment layers also provided protection against erosion and other external factors that could have damaged the teeth.

What techniques were used to determine the age of the teeth?

The age of the teeth was determined using radiometric dating techniques, specifically uranium-lead dating. This method measures the decay of uranium isotopes into lead isotopes, which can provide an accurate estimate of the age of the teeth.

What implications does this discovery have for our understanding of human evolution?

The discovery of 9.7M year old teeth in Europe challenges the previous timeline for the presence of human ancestors in Europe and suggests that our understanding of human evolution in this region may need to be revised. It also opens up new avenues for research and discovery, as scientists continue to search for more evidence of early human ancestors in Europe.

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