New dates re-ignite human evolution debate

Australian archaeologists are once again at the forefront of the debate over the origin of modern humans, this time in Asia. The archaeologists have been studying the fossil record in East Asia for clues to whether Homo sapiens arose in Africa and spread throughout the world (the Out of Africa Model) or whether Homo sapiens evolved simultaneously throughout the Old World (the Multi-regional Continuity Model).

In an interview published in the May edition of Australasian Science magazine, the archaeologists have cast doubt over previous dates obtained for fossils such as Nanjing Man. By using a more accurate mass spectrometer they have pushed back the dates of these Homo erectus fossils from as recently as 201,000 years before present to approximately 577,000 years before present.

The original dates placed these fossils at the same age as Homo sapiens fossils, supporting the view that modern humans had replaced archaic hominids in Asia. However, the new dates clearly place the Homo erectus fossils earlier than Homo sapiens fossils in China, and removes a major obstacle for the Multi-regional Continuity Model.

For further information contact please contact Guy Nolch, Australasian Science ph: (03)9824 1699 or via fax: (03)9824 2611.