In the cave of Bacho Kiro in Bulgaria was found the oldest traces in Europe of Homo sapiens. Experts have estimated their age about 45 thousand years.
the Scientists of the Institute of evolutionary anthropology max Planck conducted a study of skeletal remains. Protein analysis, DNA confirmed that they belong to Homo sapiens. To know the age of fossil finds, the researchers used accelerator mass-spectrometer radiocarbon Dating and by setting the temporal boundaries of their existence in the range from 45 to 43 820 650 years.
One of the signs of the activities of human ancestor is found tools made from stone and bone new, different from the previously known methods of work of the Neanderthals. So, using high quality chert from sources at a distance up to 180 kilometers from the cave, it was pointed blades, perhaps for hunting or butchering animals. In addition, there was unusual for the Neanderthals “new habits” – archaeologists have found ornaments in the form of beads and pendants from the teeth of cave bears.
Researchers believe that the ancestor of modern humans comes from South-West Asia, and at the turn of the middle and upper Paleolithic representatives of this species penetrated into Europe, bringing with them more advanced tools. For a few thousand years they have lived there replaced archaic populations of the Neanderthals. New discoveries move the timing of the emergence of Europe by Homo sapiens for thousands of years previously.
