An astonishing discovery in Germany has caused scientists to start reconsidering historical records about the evolution of man. “I do not want to dramatize it too much, but I would hypothesize that we will have to start rewriting the history of humanity after today…”
German researchers have made a discovery that could effectively shatter what is known about human evolution. They’ve come across a fossilized set of teeth which date back 9.7 million years.
In an article published in ResearchGate, the research team led by Herbert Lutz, representative of the Natural History Museum, wrote that they found two teeth – a left upper canine and a lower right molar – that was “exceptionally well preserved.”
According to experts, the teeth seem to belong to a species that in theory appeared in Africa several millions of years later.
The teeth were discovered in the riverbed of the Rhine River announced the Natural Museum of Mainz. The artifacts bear no resemblance to the skeletal remains of species previously discovered in Europe or Asia.
The teeth were found next to the skeletal remains of a horse-like animal, a fact that helped date the teeth. Image Credit: Museum of Natural History in Mainz
According to first theories, the teeth have more resemblance to the skeletons of the hominids Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis) and Ardi (Ardipithecus ramidus), better known in Ethiopia.
However, the remains found in Mainz are at least 4 million years older than the African skeletons.
The groundbreaking discovery struck experts by surprise.
Two of the fossilized teeth discovered at Eppelsheim can be seen in this image. Image Credit: The Museum of Natural History in Mainz
In fact, researchers were initially so surprised by the findings that it took a year for them to publish what they had come across. At a press conference announcing the discovery, the Mayor of Mainz, Michael Ebling said: “I do not want to dramatize it too much, but I would hypothesize that we will have to start rewriting the history of humanity after today.”
The responses are expected to begin to flow in as scientists analyze the findings in the near future.
High-resolution X-Rays will be used to examine the internal structure of the pieces, which will yield information about the age of the individual.
They will also examine the teeth to try to obtain a profile of the diet that the individual consumed, 9.7 million years ago.
(H/T Merkurist.de)
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