Moroccan fossils reveal ancient human face

Scientists have created a digital face of a human who lived around 315,000 years ago using fossils found in Morocco. These fossils, from the Jebel Irhoud site, are the oldest known remains of Homo sapiens ever discovered.

Discovery history and significance

The site was first explored in the early 1960s when a worker found a skull, initially thought to be from a Neanderthal. Later excavations uncovered more bones and tools, helping scientists understand human populations from that time. In 2017, new fossils pushed back the estimated origin of Homo sapiens by 100,000 years.

Reconstructing the face without a full skull

At Jebel Irhoud, no single individual's complete skull was found. Researchers combined parts of different fossils to build a more complete digital skull. Most of the skull and upper face came from one original fossil, while other parts were taken from additional remains found nearby.

Digital reconstruction process

A 3D designer and team used images and videos of the reconstructed skull to build a three-dimensional model. They compared it to a modern adult's skull using a scanner, then adjusted the model to match the ancient skull. This allowed them to recreate the facial tissues and appearance.

Confirming skull size and limitations

Scientists checked the internal volume of the reconstructed skull, finding it close to previous measurements. While this confirms the skull's proportions, the study notes that features like skin color and hair cannot be determined from the fossils and are artistic interpretations.