A remarkable fossil discovery in Türkiye is sending shockwaves through the field of anthropology and reshaping our understanding of human evolution. Researchers have unearthed a new ape species, Anadoluvius turkae, from an astonishing 8.7-million-year-old site located near Çankırı.

While Africa has long been seen as the cradle of humankind, this discovery suggests that Europe may have played a crucial role in our evolutionary saga. The fossil, found at the Çorakyerler site with the assistance of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, indicates that Mediterranean fossil apes were far more diverse than previously believed.

The Anadoluvius turkae fossil adds a fascinating chapter to the family tree of hominins—a group that includes well-known African apes such as chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas, as well as humans and our long-lost ancestors.

Reimagining Human Ancestry: A European Origin?

This groundbreaking find lends credibility to a daring new theory: that early human ancestors may have actually evolved in Europe before migrating to Africa between nine and seven million years ago. Professors David Begun from the University of Toronto and Ayla Sevim Erol from Ankara University led the team behind this research.

“Our findings indicate that hominins not only evolved in western and central Europe but spent over five million years there before spreading to the eastern Mediterranean and eventually to Africa. This was likely driven by shifting environments and dwindling forests,” shared Professor Begun.

What Makes Anadoluvius turkae So Special?

The crux of the research involved an exceptionally well-preserved partial skull discovered in 2015. This fossil maintains much of its facial structure and the frontal region of the brain case, which provides critical insights into the anatomy of this ancient ape.

Anadoluvius turkae stood about the size of a large male chimpanzee, weighing between 50-60 kilograms, which is quite hefty for a chimp, comparable to the average size of a female gorilla. Analysis suggests that these creatures thrived in sunlit forest zones rather than dense jungles, with diets likely consisting of tough terrestrial plants.

“It appears that Anadoluvius lived in relatively open landscapes, unlike the forest-dwelling great apes we see today,” noted Professor Sevim Erol.

A Peek into the Ecosystem

The environment that Anadoluvius inhabited shares resemblances with today’s African grasslands and dry forests. This ape coexisted with a rich tapestry of fauna, including giraffes, warthogs, rhinoceroses, zebras, elephants, and formidable carnivores resembling lions. Research indicates that around eight million years ago, this thriving ecosystem likely began to disperse from the eastern Mediterranean into Africa.

The Importance of This Discovery

Anadoluvius turkae stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other notable fossil apes discovered across eastern Europe, such as Ouranopithecus and Graecopithecus. These finds not only bolster the theory of a European origin for hominins but also suggest that the evolutionary pathways of these species diverged in Europe rather than migrating independently from Africa.

“Our findings challenge the entrenched view that African apes and humans evolved exclusively in Africa. The evidence we've gathered demonstrates a significant presence of hominins in Europe and Anatolia, completely absent in Africa until the first hominins migrated there around seven million years ago,” emphasized Professor Begun.

What Lies Ahead in Evolutionary Research?

While the discovery of Anadoluvius turkae is compelling, it doesn’t conclusively prove the theory that hominins originated in Europe. Further research is essential; more fossils dating back to between eight and seven million years old from both Europe and Africa are required to reinforce or reconsider this hypothesis.

If future evidence supports the idea of European origins for hominins, it may prompt a major reevaluation of human ancestry, prompting researchers to widen their search parameters beyond Africa.

The existence of Anadoluvius turkae adds a new chapter to the fossil record, allowing for revivals of discussions surrounding our evolutionary journey. With each discovery, we edge closer to understanding the nuanced story of where we come from and how we came to be.

This ground-breaking study has been published in the journal Communications Biology. Stay tuned for more updates as archaeology and paleontology continue to unveil the mysteries of our past!