The question "What is the oldest known human?" is complex because it depends on how "human" is defined. If we're talking about the oldest Homo sapiens, here's what the evidence suggests:
Based on archaeological findings, the oldest known remains of Homo sapiens are from several sites. Let's look at some of the key locations:
Key Archaeological Sites with Early Homo sapiens Remains
| Site Name | Location | Estimated Age | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Irhoud | Morocco | About 315,000 years ago | One of the earliest known Homo sapiens sites. Suggests early human evolution was more widespread across Africa than previously thought. |
| Florisbad | South Africa | About 259,000 years ago | Provides evidence of early Homo sapiens in southern Africa. |
| Omo-Kibish I | South-western Ethiopia | About 233,000-196,000 years ago | Contains some of the oldest well-dated Homo sapiens fossils. |
Therefore, based on current findings, the remains from Jebel Irhoud in Morocco, dated to about 315,000 years ago, are among the oldest known Homo sapiens remains. These finds push back the estimated origin of our species significantly and indicate a more complex evolutionary history than previously understood.
