Fossils reveal early modern humans in southeast Asia 77,000 years ago

[Judi Lynn]

1. Fossil bones found in Laotian cave are oldest evidence for modern humans in mainland South-East Asia

Fossil bones found in Laotian cave are oldest evidence for modern humans in mainland South-East Asia, say scientists

ABC Science / By Anna Salleh
Posted Tue 13 Jun 2023 at 2:00pm

A human ancestor once looked out over rolling green hills — in what is now northern Laos — with the yawning steep entrance of a damp limestone cave at their back.

We don't know if this person lived there or was a traveller, but recent discovery of their remains within the cave behind them is helping us chart the journey of modern humans out of Africa and into our region.

In the latest issue of the journal Nature Communications, an international team of researchers report on the discovery of fossilised human skull and leg bone fragments from the site in Laos, known as Tam Pà Ling (Cave of the Monkeys).

They say the bones, some of which are dated up to 86,000 years, are the oldest examples of modern humans (Homo sapiens) found in South-East Asia, pushing back the known arrival time of our species in the area.

More:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2023-06-14/oldest-evidence-for-modern-humans-in-mainland-south-east-asia/102471990