Georgia About

A series of stunning palaeontological discoveries is challenging the conventional view that Africa is the sole cradle of humankind. Scientists have found a number of ancient human skulls at an archaeological site near the village of Dmanisi (Georgian: დმანისი) in Georgia that suggest a Eurasian chapter in the evolutionary story of mankind.

Experts believe the fossilized bones date to about 1.8 million years ago and are the oldest indisputable remains of humans discovered outside of Africa.

An international team, led by David Lordkipanidze (Director of the Georgian National Museum), found the first human jaw there in 1991. Between then and 2007, fossils from six individuals have been found at the Dmanisi site. Two have been given Georgian names, Zezva and Mzia (Georgian: ზეზვა და მზია), and have been reconstructed by artists to show how they may have looked.

The Dmanisi hominins were about 1.4 meters (4 feet 9 inches) tall, with small brains and legs more developed than their arms, showing that they were good runners.

The ability to run fast would have been very useful as they lived alongside predators like saber-toothed tigers, whose skulls have also been found at the site.

The Dmanisi site is huge, over 13,000 square meters of which about one per cent has been excavated. It is also vulnerable to rain, wind and frost.

To protect the site, Lordkipanidze plans to erect a 2,000-square-metre dome of steel and glass, which would also extend the number of months each year in which fieldwork can continue.

The dome will house an on-site laboratory to analyse the finds and an on-site museum for the growing stream of visitors.

“The world should know that we are preserving a world heritage, not just ours,” says David Lordkipanidze.

CLICK on the logo to visit GEORGIA ABOUT on Facebook and see photos and news about Georgia. Click LIKE on the page and become a friend of GEORGIA ABOUT.