A 1.8 million-year-old jaw has been discovered in Orozmani, Georgia, reigniting research into the very first humans to leave Africa. This bone fragment could represent one of the oldest traces of Homo erectus in Eurasia.
The Georgian excavations reveal a more precise picture of the expansion of early hominids out of the African continent. They confirm that prehistoric migrations were not limited to rare isolated movements, but involved several groups dispersed across vast territories. The Orozmani site provides new insight into these ancient movements.
New archaeological discovery during the international excavations at Orozman - the lower jaw of a human dating back 1.8 million years has been discovered. Homo erectus, first explorer
Homo erectus is the first known human species to have left Africa, approximately 2 million years ago. Its fossils have been identified in Europe, Asia, and even Oceania. The Dmanisi site, near Orozmani, had already revealed skulls and over a hundred bones dated to approximately 1.77 to 1.85 million years ago.
The jaw discovered at Orozmani completes this picture. It includes two teeth and comes from a sedimentary layer close to the one that yielded an isolated tooth in 2022. These elements attest to a more extensive human presence in the Caucasus region than previously thought.
These recent discoveries show that these migrations were not isolated events. Homo erectus populations likely crossed several geographical zones, exploiting different habitats. Comparative study of fossils between Dmanisi and Orozmani could reveal local variations and specific adaptations to each environment.
Reconstructing prehistoric daily life
The human remains are accompanied by animal fossils: saber-toothed tigers, elephants, deer, and giraffes. These discoveries, combined with the stone tools found on site, offer a more complete picture of the ecosystem where these early settlers lived.
The lithic assemblage, of the Oldowan type, suggests technical mastery for cutting meat and working wood. It reflects social organization and the transmission of skills across generations. These populations were not mere wandering explorers but inhabitants capable of sustainably adapting to their environment.
The richness of the fauna and artifacts indicates an environment favorable for hunting and gathering. The diversity of species and the structure of the tools show that these Homo erectus intelligently exploited available resources to survive and thrive.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND