A newly discovered fossil species, Anadoluvius turkae, found in Central Anatolia, Türkiye, is prompting scientists to reconsider the long-held belief that human ancestors originated exclusively in Africa. This partial cranium, dating back approximately 8.7 million years, could indicate that early hominins—ancestors of modern humans—first evolved in Europe before migrating to Africa.

A Significant Find at çOrakyerler Fossil Site

The fossil was uncovered at the Çorakyerler site in Türkiye in 2015, with support from Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A study led by Professor David Begun of the University of Toronto and Professor Ayla Sevim Erol of Ankara University analyzed the cranium, which is remarkably well-preserved, allowing for detailed evolutionary comparisons.

Professor Begun explained, “The completeness of the fossil allowed us to do a broader and more detailed analysis using many characters and attributes that are coded into a program designed to calculate evolutionary relationships.” The fossil includes most of the face and the frontal portion of the braincase, providing valuable insights into the physical characteristics of the species.

The research, published in the journal Communications Biology, identifies Anadoluvius turkae as part of a group of Mediterranean apes closely related to early hominins. These apes may have evolved in Europe before dispersing to Africa between nine and seven million years ago, likely influenced by environmental changes.

Characteristics of Anadoluvius Turkae

The fossil reveals that Anadoluvius turkae was a large ape, weighing between 50 and 60 kilograms, comparable to the size of a modern male chimpanzee. Its powerful jaws and thickly enameled teeth suggest an ability to process tough terrestrial foods such as roots and rhizomes.

Professor Sevim Erol noted that Anadoluvius turkae likely lived in open, dry forests, a habitat more similar to African savannahs than the forested environments inhabited by modern great apes. The ecosystem at the time included animals such as giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and lion-like predators, mirroring the fauna found in Africa today.

Implications for Human Origins

This discovery challenges the prevailing “Out of Africa” model, which posits that early hominins evolved exclusively in Africa. Instead, it supports a hypothesis that these ancestors may have originated in Europe and spread to Africa alongside other Mediterranean fauna during the late Miocene epoch.

Fossils of related species, such as Ouranopithecus from Greece and Graecopithecus from Bulgaria, bolster this theory. According to Professor Begun, “The members of this radiation to which Anadoluvius turkae belongs are currently only identified in Europe and Anatolia.” The absence of hominin fossils in Africa older than seven million years contrasts with the abundance of such remains in Europe and Anatolia from earlier periods.

Unanswered Questions and Further Research

Despite its significance, the discovery of Anadoluvius turkae does not definitively prove the European origin of human ancestors. Additional fossils from both Europe and Africa, dating between eight and seven million years, are needed to establish a clear evolutionary connection between the two regions.

Professor Begun acknowledged this limitation, stating, “For that, we need to find more fossils from Europe and Africa between eight and seven million years old to establish a definitive connection between the two groups.” This underscores the importance of continued exploration and interdisciplinary research in understanding the evolution of hominins.

For now, this find adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the Mediterranean region played a critical role in human evolutionary history, urging scientists to expand their focus beyond traditional areas of study. As more discoveries are made, Anadoluvius turkae will remain central to ongoing debates about the origins of humanity.