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How did early humans migrate across oceans earlier than we thought?
New fossil and tool discoveries in Indonesia and Ethiopia indicate that early humans, like Homo erectus, may have crossed large water gaps around 1.48 million years ago. This challenges the previous idea that they only migrated via land routes and suggests they had some form of maritime ability much earlier than expected.
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What new tools and fossils have been found in Indonesia and Ethiopia?
In Indonesia, researchers found stone tools dating back to 1.48 million years, which are among the oldest evidence of human activity in Southeast Asia. In Ethiopia, fossils of teeth belonging to a new Homo species have been discovered, coexisting with Australopithecus, which shifts the timeline of human evolution and migration.
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How do these discoveries change our understanding of human history?
These findings suggest that early humans were capable of crossing ocean barriers earlier than previously thought, indicating a more complex pattern of migration and evolution. It also implies that technological and navigational skills developed earlier, challenging the traditional view of human dispersal being limited to land routes.
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Are there other recent findings about ancient human migrations?
Yes, recent research continues to uncover evidence of early human movement across continents and islands. These include discoveries of ancient tools, fossils, and even possible evidence of early seafaring, which collectively point to a more dynamic and widespread pattern of human migration than previously understood.
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What does this mean for the timeline of human evolution?
The new evidence pushes back the timeline of significant human migrations and technological development. It suggests that early humans were more adaptable and capable of long-distance travel, including crossing water, much earlier in our history than we had believed.