New Species Related to Us Discovered in the Philippines

Summary

In 2003, Dr. Armand Mijares and his team began excavations in Callao Cave on Luzon Island, Philippines. Initially finding only 25,000-year-old tools, they later discovered a 67,000-year-old human fossil, leading to the identification of a new species, Homo luzonensis. This species, characterized by small teeth and a curved toe bone, suggests a mixed lifestyle of climbing and bipedal walking. The discovery challenges previous beliefs about ancient human migration and raises questions about their origins and lifestyle on the island, with theories ranging from intentional voyages to natural disasters like tsunamis.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ The Callao Cave in Luzon Island, Philippines, is the site of a significant archaeological discovery of an ancient human species.
• ⏳ The discovery dates back to 2003, but the story of human activity in the region extends to 50,000 to 67,000 years ago.
• 🔍 Initially, the Philippines was not considered a prime location for archaeological research due to the belief that it was inaccessible without boats.
• 👤 Dr. Armand Mijares and his team from the University of the Philippines began excavations in Callao Cave in 2003.
• 🔨 The team's initial findings in 2003 were modest, leading to a temporary halt in excavations.
• 🌟 The discovery of Homo floresiensis in 2004 inspired Dr. Mijares to resume deeper excavations in Callao Cave in 2007.
• 🦴 In 2007, the team found a layer of rock with bone fragments, including an almost complete human-like foot bone.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The fossils discovered were a mix of advanced and ancient characteristics, leading to the identification of a new species, Homo luzonensis.
• 🧬 Attempts to extract DNA from the fossils have been unsuccessful, likely due to the age and conditions of the samples.
• 🤔 Theories suggest that Homo luzonensis may have reached Luzon Island either by intentional voyage or by natural disaster such as a tsunami.
• 🗡️ Evidence of tool use by Homo luzonensis was found, including marked deer bones and stone tools, indicating a sophisticated lifestyle.

Q & A

Where is Callao Cave located?

Callao Cave is located in Luzon Island in the Philippines.

What significant discovery was made in Callao Cave in 2003?

In 2003, Dr. Armand Mijares and his team discovered evidence of human activity in the region, including tools and pottery dated to be about 25,000 years old.

Why was Luzon Island initially considered uninhabitable by ancient humans?

Luzon Island was considered uninhabitable because it was believed that due to powerful ocean currents, it was completely impassable without boats and had no land bridge connecting it to the mainland.

What discovery in 2004 inspired Dr. Mijares to return to Callao Cave?

The discovery of Homo floresiensis, a tiny human species nicknamed 'the hobbit,' in 2004 inspired Dr. Mijares to return to Callao Cave.

What was the initial disappointment during the 2007 excavation in Callao Cave?

The initial disappointment was that among the fossils found, there were only bones belonging to animals like pigs and deer, with no significant human remains.

What was the groundbreaking discovery made by Dr. Mijares and his team in 2010?

In 2010, the team discovered a 67,000-year-old human fossil, which was initially believed to be a miniature representative of Homo sapiens.

What new species was identified from the fossils found in Callao Cave?

The fossils found in Callao Cave were identified as belonging to a new species, Homo luzonensis, named in honor of the island where it was discovered.

What unique characteristics do the fossils of Homo luzonensis reveal?

The fossils reveal a mix of advanced and ancient characteristics, such as tiny teeth similar to modern humans but with one upper premolar having three roots, and a foot bone resembling that of ancient Australopithecines.

What are the two theories proposed for how Homo luzonensis arrived on Luzon Island?

The two theories are that they either set out on a voyage on purpose using a raft or were brought to the island by a natural disaster, such as a tsunami.

What evidence suggests that Homo luzonensis might have lived on Luzon Island much earlier than previously thought?

The discovery of stone tools and a rhinoceros skeleton with similar markings near Callao Cave, dating back to 700,000 years, suggests that Homo luzonensis or an older unrelated species might have lived on the island much earlier.

What does the discovery of a deer bone with marks in Callao Cave indicate about Homo luzonensis?

The deer bone with marks suggests that Homo luzonensis used tools to hunt and prepare food, indicating a level of tool use and possibly a mixed lifestyle that included climbing trees and walking on two legs.

Outlines

00:00

🕵️‍♂️ Discovery of Homo luzonensis in Callao Cave

The paragraph details the discovery of a previously unknown ancient human species, Homo luzonensis, in Callao Cave on Luzon Island, Philippines. The narrative begins with the history of the cave's exploration, which started in 2003 by Dr. Armand Mijares and his team. Initially, the excavations were unremarkable, with only tools and pottery dating back 25,000 years found. However, the discovery of Homo floresiensis in 2004 spurred Dr. Mijares to dig deeper. In 2007, they found a layer of rock filled with bone fragments, leading to the identification of a human-like foot bone. By 2010, the team had unearthed a 67,000-year-old human fossil, challenging the conventional understanding of human migration and settlement in the region.

05:02

🦴 Homo luzonensis: An Enigmatic Species

This paragraph delves into the characteristics and implications of the Homo luzonensis fossils found in Callao Cave. Initially thought to be a small Homo sapiens, further excavations revealed additional bones and teeth from three individuals, indicating a new species. The fossils exhibited a mix of modern and ancient traits, such as small, simple teeth with a unique triple-rooted premolar and a curved toe bone reminiscent of ancient Australopithecines. The species is believed to have been short, possibly around 4 feet tall, and capable of both climbing and bipedal locomotion. The discovery has raised questions about their origin and lifestyle, with theories suggesting either intentional voyage or natural disaster as means of reaching Luzon Island. The paragraph also mentions the potential use of tools by Homo luzonensis, evidenced by marked deer and rhinoceros bones, and the possibility of their existence dating back even further to 700,000 years.

10:05

🔍 The Mystery of Homo luzonensis Continues

The final paragraph of the script hints at the ongoing research and the broader implications of the Homo luzonensis discovery. It invites viewers to share their thoughts on the findings and encourages them to explore more videos on the topic. The paragraph serves as a call to action for viewers to engage with the content, learn more, and stay curious about the mysteries of human evolution.

Keywords

💡Luzon Island

Luzon Island is the largest and most populous island in the Philippines. In the context of the video, it is where Callao Cave is located, which is significant because it is the site of the discovery of Homo luzonensis, an ancient human species. The island's mention is crucial as it sets the geographical stage for the archaeological findings that are the main focus of the video.

💡Callao Cave

Callao Cave is a cave in Luzon Island, Philippines, where the remains of Homo luzonensis were discovered. The cave's mention is central to the video's narrative, as it is the archaeological site that yielded the fossils and artifacts that have challenged previous theories about human migration and evolution in the region.

💡Homo luzonensis

Homo luzonensis is the name given to the previously unknown ancient human species discovered in Callao Cave. The term is vital to the video's theme as it represents the main discovery that has led to a reevaluation of the history of human presence in the Philippines. The species is characterized by a mix of advanced and ancient traits, as evidenced by the fossils found.

💡Archaeological research

Archaeological research refers to the systematic study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. In the video, this concept is central as it details the process by which the Homo luzonensis was discovered and studied, highlighting the importance of such research in uncovering our past.

💡Homo floresiensis

Homo floresiensis, nicknamed 'the hobbit,' is a species of small hominids that lived on the island of Flores, Indonesia. The video mentions this species as it was discovered prior to Homo luzonensis and inspired further exploration of Callao Cave. It serves as a comparative example of how new species can be discovered in Southeast Asia.

💡Fossils

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other organisms from the remote past. In the video, fossils are the physical evidence that led to the identification of Homo luzonensis. The discovery of toe bones, finger bones, teeth, and a part of a thigh bone are central to the narrative as they provide the basis for understanding this new species.

💡Ancient human activity

Ancient human activity refers to the behaviors and actions of humans in prehistoric times. The video discusses evidence of such activity found in Callao Cave, including tools and pottery dated to be about 25,000 years old, which indicates that the area was inhabited by humans much earlier than previously thought.

💡Paleoanthropology

Paleoanthropology is the study of human evolution through the analysis of fossil evidence. The video mentions this field as it is the scientific discipline responsible for the discovery and interpretation of the Homo luzonensis fossils. The term is used to emphasize the expertise required to understand the significance of the findings.

💡Homo erectus

Homo erectus is an extinct species of hominid that lived from about 1.9 million to 70,000 years ago. The video refers to this species as part of the historical context of human evolution and migration in Asia, contrasting it with the newly discovered Homo luzonensis to illustrate the diversity of human species that once existed.

💡Stone tools

Stone tools are implements made from stone by prehistoric humans. The video discusses the discovery of stone tools in Callao Cave, which suggests that Homo luzonensis used tools to hunt and prepare food. This finding is significant as it provides insight into the lifestyle and capabilities of this ancient species.

💡Natural disaster theory

The natural disaster theory mentioned in the video is one of the hypotheses put forth to explain how Homo luzonensis might have arrived on Luzon Island. It suggests that a natural event, such as a tsunami, could have brought the species to the island. This theory is discussed as part of the ongoing debate about the origins and migration patterns of ancient human species.

Highlights

Callao Cave in the Philippines became the site of the discovery of a previously unknown ancient human species.

The discovery was unexpected, as scientists previously believed Luzon Island to be inaccessible to early humans.

The story began in 2003 when Dr. Armand Mijares, a local archaeologist, started excavations at Callao Cave.

In 2004, another significant discovery occurred with the finding of Homo floresiensis, a tiny human species on the island of Flores.

In 2010, Dr. Mijares and his team discovered a 67,000-year-old human fossil at Callao Cave, leading to the identification of a new species, Homo luzonensis.

Homo luzonensis was named after Luzon Island and was found to have a mix of advanced and ancient characteristics, such as tiny teeth and a curved toe bone.

The species likely stood around 4 feet tall, possibly combining walking on two legs and tree climbing.

Despite the small number of fossils (only 13 bones and teeth), scientists recognized Homo luzonensis as a unique species.

Attempts to extract DNA from the remains have been unsuccessful due to the humid rainforest conditions.

The species' presence raises questions about how they arrived on the island, with theories suggesting either a natural disaster or intentional sea voyage.

The discovery of tools and marked animal bones suggests Homo luzonensis used tools for hunting and food preparation.

In 2018, additional findings hinted that humans might have lived on Luzon much earlier, as stone tools and a rhinoceros skeleton with similar markings were found.

These findings suggest that human activity on Luzon Island could date back as far as 700,000 years.

The discovery of Homo luzonensis has generated excitement in the archaeological community, offering new insights into early human migration in Southeast Asia.

Despite the mystery surrounding the species, researchers are committed to further studies to uncover more details about these ancient humans.

Transcripts

If you head to Luzon Island in the Philippines, you’ll find Callao Cave hidden in the jungle.

"What's so special about an old cave?" you may ask. Well, this is exactly where archeologists

discovered a previously unknown ancient species related to us humans! NO it’s not the kid

down the street, this one is almost Human! Just kidding.

The story began in 2003. It started much earlier, as in, 50 - 67,000 years ago, but we won't

go down memory lane that far. So, 2003 it is.

The Philippines haven’t ever really been a hotspot for archeological research for reasons

I’ll get into here in a bit. However, in recent years, it’s become the third island

in Southeast Asia to provide all kinds of astonishing evidence of ancient human activity.

And to tell you the truth, and of course that’s what we do here, scientists didn't see it

coming at all!

You see, the history of Asia, although incomplete, had always seemed clear and straightforward

to experts. Paleoanthropologists (That’s a $5 dollar word) were sure that different

human species (Homo erectus, for instance) arrived in modern-day Indonesia over land

bridges that had still been intact about a million years ago. As for the area located

further to the east, scientists have always believed that, due to powerful ocean currents,

it’d been completely impassable without boats and, therefore, uninhabitable.

Luzon Island was one of those seemingly inaccessible places because it also didn’t have any land

bridge connecting it to the mainland. That's why researchers always thought that any archaeological

excavations on the island would be fruitless. Even so, in 2003, Dr. Armand Mijares, a local

archeologist from the University of the Philippines, started excavations in Callao Cave together

with his team. But at that time, researchers were still unaware of the treasures the cave

kept within its limestone walls.

As they were going about their research, the team found evidence of human activity in that

region, including some tools and pottery which were dated to be about 25,000 years old. But

this discovery wasn't all-that earth-shattering, so the scientists left the site. Mind you,

the deepest they dug was about 5 feet (1.5 m) down. But this is the norm for most archeologists

working in Southeast Asia: they rarely dig deeper than 6 feet (1.8 m). After that, they

stop excavations because the search becomes useless.

The Callao Cave site would’ve stayed forgotten and deserted for decades if it wasn’t for

an exciting discovery the following year in 2004. That's when another group of archeologists

discovered Homo floresiensis, a tiny human species that was later nicknamed "the hobbit."

And it’s no wonder! These early human-like beings were only as tall as a modern three-year-old

child and lived on a remote Indonesian island along with giant lizards and pygmy elephants.

They disappeared from their home island of Flores about 50,000 years ago, but scientists

got enough evidence to draw a clear picture of this species. Even though it was a cool

discovery on its own, it also inspired Dr. Mijares to return to Callao Cave. He got back

on track in 2007 with a firm decision to dig deeper.

When the team had been excavating the cave back in 2003, they went through 5 feet (1.5

m) of clay and found nothing even relatively significant before they decided to give up.

They came across neither fossils nor any signs of ancient human activity. But their efforts

in 2007 paid off. First of all, the archeologists found a layer of rock formed from a mixture

of different materials. And you can imagine how thrilled the scientists were when they

discovered that this layer was full of bone fragments! Apparently, these bones were washed

inside the cave a long time ago, but at the moment of discovery, the archeologists couldn't

even imagine HOW long ago it happened.

When the scientists first started examining the bones, they turned out to be one big disappointment.

It seemed that among the fossils, there were only bones belonging to animals like pigs

and deer. But the team didn't lose hope and sent their findings to archeologist Dr. Philip

Piper, asking to look through the remains.

And voila! I imagine one-minute Dr. Piper was examining the fossils, and the next, he

was calling Dr. Mijares with some great news! It would’ve been awesome to see the look

on Mijares’s face when his colleague informed him that he’d found an almost complete foot

bone that resembled that of a human a bit too much to be a coincidence!

But it wasn't until 2010 that Mijares and his team finally made their revolutionary

discovery. In their search, the scientists stumbled across a 67,000-year-old human fossil!

At first, they believed that the bone belonged to a miniature representative of Homo sapiens.

In this case, it could’ve been the oldest piece of evidence showing the presence of

our own species in the Philippines that long ago! But later, it turned out that the archeologists'

initial assumption was far from the truth. It was Mijares who first suspected that their

finding might belong to a structurally new species. But to prove his theory, the team

needed a whole bunch of new fossils, so they got down to work and did some more digging.

It probably comes as no surprise that after going the extra mile, the researchers hit

pay dirt. Can you dig it? During the following excavations in 2011 and 2015, they unveiled

not only two more toe bones but also two finger bones, seven teeth, and a part of a thigh

bone. The scientists concluded that these remains most likely belonged to three individuals:

two adults and a child.

However happy they were about the discovery, it was also extremely confusing. The fossils

revealed a bewildering mix of both advanced and ancient characteristics. For example,

the teeth were tiny with a simple shape, making them similar to the teeth of modern humans.

But what makes them even more unique is that one of the upper premolars found had 3 roots,

a feature found in less than 3% of people today. At the same time, the discovered foot

bone looked like one of the ancient Australopithecines who were wandering around Africa about 3 million

years ago.

But let's try to draw an image of this human-like species, which was dubbed Homo luzonensis

in honor of the island it was discovered on. The itsy-bitsy teeth mean that adults were

probably quite short, about 4 feet (1.2 m) tall. Besides, the toe bone discovered by

the archeologists was slightly curved. That's why the scientists assumed that this species

led a mixed lifestyle, what with their ability to both climb trees and walk on two legs.

They could’ve walked in a peculiar way, but researchers haven’t determined that

yet.

In any case, scientists from all over the world praised the thoroughness of the research

done by Dr. Mijares and his team. Everybody in the archeological community understood

just how incredibly hard it is to define a new species from only 13 tiny bones and teeth.

There have been attempts to extract DNA from the discovered remains, but so far, they haven’t

gotten any results. Unfortunately, this is typical for samples stewing for tens of thousands

of years in the humidity and heat of rainforests.

But the finding seems to raise more questions than it answers. For example, did Homo luzonensis

learn to both climb trees and walk when they got isolated on the island or was it their

inherent trait? And how and when did they end up on that island anyway? Remember, it’s

never had any land bridge connection to the mainland.

The researchers do have two theories about how the first humans got to Luzon. One of

them claims that they set out on a voyage on purpose and sailed on some kind of a raft.

According to the other theory, Homo luzonensis was brought to the island by a natural disaster,

such as a tsunami. And while most scientists support the natural disaster theory, more

and more evidence is coming to light, hinting that the event might not have been that accidental.

There is one more thing, though, that makes scientists super excited about the discovery.

It seems humans that lived on Luzon Island used tools to hunt and prepare food! The researchers

came to this conclusion after they found a deer bone in the cave that had some marks

on it, as if someone had used a stone tool to cut it.

But that's not all! In 2018, Dr. Mijares announced that chances are Homo luzonensis lived on

the island much further back in time. The archeologists found some stone tools as well

as a rhinoceros skeleton bearing similar markings to that deer, not so far from Callao Cave.

And (brace yourself!) these findings are a whopping 700,000 years old! Unfortunately,

now, it's almost impossible to say for sure whether these tools were used by Homo luzonensis

or some other older unrelated species. So, we just must wait for scientists to do further

research and let us all in on what our ancient cousins were up to in their day!

Have you heard about any other exciting archeological findings? Let me know down in the comments!

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