Volume 15 • No. 8 • April 16 - 30, 2019 Publication Mailing Account #41721512
Yassi Pressman
Homo luzonensis Bones reveal ancient human species in the Philippines
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Another branch of the human family tree has been established with the discovery of remains belonging to a previously unknown species in Callao cave in Peñablanca, Cagayan. Named Homo luzonensis, according to its location in Northern Luzon, the smallbodied hominin lived on the island at least 50 to 67 thousand years ago – the earliest known human cousins ever found in the Philippines. Researchers announced their discovery in the journal Nature on April 10, 2019. University of the Philippines archaeologist Armand Mijares made the initial discovery of a fossilized hominid foot bone in 2007. Further excavations in 2011 and 2015 uncovered two more toe bones along with seven teeth, two finger bones, and part of a femur. In total, the remains represent at least three individuals – two adults and one See FOSSILS p10
Professor Armand B. Mijares with the history-making fossils of Homo luzonensis. Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO.
The teeth have small sizes and relatively simple shapes, but one premolar has three roots, which is uncommon among modern humans. Photo by Callao Cave Archaeology Project.
Real food for every mood at Max’s Restaurant
Max’s traditional chicken cutting ceremony during the grand opening, April 5. L-r: Frank Alibin, Arnel Alibin, Bill Rodgers, John Alibin and Hipolito Alibin, Jr. Story on p7