A new archaeological discovery in Morocco represents a significant leap forward in understanding the origins of humanity. International researchers announced in a study published Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in the journal *Nature*, the discovery of fossilized human bones and teeth dating back approximately 773,000 years inside the Grotte à Hominidés cave, or "Cave of Homo sapiens," in the Thomas Quarry I, southwest of Casablanca. These fossils, representing the oldest known human remains from that period in Africa, offer a unique blend of primitive and modern features, making them a potential link in the human evolutionary chain and reinforcing North Africa's position as a major cradle of the ancestors of Homo sapiens.
Details of the excavation: Remains of three individuals in a predator's den
The discoveries included the mandibles of two adults and a young child, as well as teeth, a femur, and several vertebrae. Most of the bones were excavated between 2008 and 2009 as part of the Franco-Moroccan "Prestoire Casablanca" program, but precise dating was only recently achieved using paleomagnetism, a technique that detects the Matuyama-Brunhes reversal of Earth's magnetic field, which occurred 773,000 years ago with an accuracy of ±4,000 years. The femur showed clear bite marks from the teeth of large predators, such as hyenas, suggesting that the cave was a den for predators and that the victims may have been hunted or their bodies eaten after death. The absence of bite marks on the jaws suggests that the cave was used only occasionally by early humans, who were either avoiding predators or using it as a temporary shelter.
Anatomical Features: A Primitive-Modern Blend Filling a Time Gap
The fossils reveal a striking mix of characteristics: a slender lower jaw resembling Homo erectus, which appeared 1.9 million years ago in Africa and spread to Eurasia, with molar patterns similar to early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. This blend fills a gap in the African fossil record between 1 million and 600,000 years ago, when discoveries were scarce. Researchers classify it as an evolved form of Homo erectus in North Africa, closely related to the African lineage that later diverged into Homo sapiens (Africa), Neanderthals, and Denisovans (Eurasia). Lead researcher Jean-Jacques Hublin, of the Collège de France in Paris and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany, said: “We should be cautious about classifying it as the ‘last common ancestor,’ but it is very close to the African populations from which the three lineages later diverged, thus reinforcing the deep African origin of our species.” He added: “The fossils show both primitive and sophisticated design, consistent with the evolutionary differentiation taking place at that time.”Importance of the Discovery: Rewriting the History of Human Evolution
This discovery strengthens the hypothesis of a “deep African origin” of Homo sapiens, as opposed to Eurasian theories, and fills a time gap in Africa where fossils are scarce between 1 million and 500,000 years ago. It points to an early diversification of human populations on the continent, with possible contact across the Strait of Gibraltar with Europe (such as the Gran Dolina fossils in Spain, 800,000 years ago). This discovery also supports previous findings in Morocco, such as Jebel Irhoud, dating back 315,000 years, the oldest known Homo sapiens, making North Africa a crucial center for human evolution. The international team, comprising researchers from Morocco (National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage - INSAP), France, Germany, and Italy, conducted analyses including CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and anatomical comparisons. The study was published in Nature, with comments from experts such as Christian Tryon (Harvard): "The picture is beautifully complex."
