WASHINGTON (AP) — Ancient stone tools found in western Ukraine may be the oldest known evidence of early human presence in Europe, according to research published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
The chipped stones, deliberately fashioned from volcanic rock, were excavated from a quarry in Korolevo in the 1970s. Archaeologists used new methods to date the layers of sedimentary rock surrounding the tools to more than 1 million years old.
“This is the earliest evidence of any type of human in Europe that is dated,” said Mads Faurschou Knudsen, a geophysicist at Aarhus University in Denmark and co-author of the new study.
He said it’s not certain which early human ancestors fashioned the tools, but it may have been Homo erectus, the first species to walk upright and master the use of fire.
“We don’t have fossil remains, so we can’t be sure,” said Roman Garba, an archaeologist at the Czech Academy of Sciences and co-author.
David Ortiz is humbled by being honored in New York again; this time for post
Xi, Portuguese president exchange congratulations on 45th anniversary of bilateral ties
Huawei teams up with Ethiopian telecom companies for green energy solutions
China urges U.S. to cease sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces
Economic Watch: China remains popular destination for foreign investment
Fourth Volume of 'Xi Jinping: The Governance of China' Published in Ethnic
World leaders extend Chinese New Year greetings
Grant Shapps vows he WILL find more planes for mass parachute drop to mark 80th anniversary of D
Romance of Spring: Cherry Blossoms Meet Beauty of Traditional Chinese Costume
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Xinhua Commentary: World benefits from greater China