Researchers in Spain have unearthed a fragmented hominin face, believed to be over 1.4 million years old, at the Sima del Elefante cave site in Atapuerca. This fossil, consisting of a maxilla (upper jawbone) and cheekbone, represents the oldest known hominin fossil found in Europe and potentially pushes back the earliest evidence of human ancestors on the continent by 200,000 years. The discovery provides crucial insight into the early evolution of the human face and the dispersal of hominins across Eurasia, although its specific lineage remains to be determined through further study. The researchers suggest this finding might be related to a hominin jawbone found at the same site in 2007 and dated to 1.2 million years ago, potentially representing a single evolutionary lineage.
The article "The Prehistoric Psychopath" explores the evolutionary puzzle of psychopathy, questioning whether it's a purely maladaptive trait or if it could have offered some advantages in our ancestral past. It proposes that psychopathic traits, such as lack of empathy, manipulativeness, and risk-taking, might have been beneficial in specific prehistoric contexts like intergroup conflict or resource acquisition, allowing individuals to exploit others or seize opportunities without moral constraints. The article emphasizes the complex interplay between genes and environment, suggesting that psychopathy likely arises from a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental triggers, and that its expression and success might have varied across different social structures and ecological niches in prehistory. Ultimately, the article highlights the difficulty in definitively determining the evolutionary origins and historical prevalence of psychopathy, given the limitations of archaeological and anthropological evidence.
HN commenters largely discussed the methodology and conclusions of the linked article. Several questioned the reliability of extrapolating psychopathic traits based on sparse archaeological evidence, arguing that alternative explanations for prehistoric violence exist and that applying modern psychological diagnoses to ancient humans is problematic. Some debated the definition and evolutionary role of psychopathy, with some suggesting it may be a social construct rather than a distinct disorder. Others pointed out that while some individuals might exhibit psychopathic traits, classifying an entire group as psychopathic is misleading. The difficulty in distinguishing between instrumental and reactive violence in archaeological records was also a recurring theme, highlighting the limitations of inferring motivations from prehistoric remains. A few commenters focused on the article's presentation, criticizing its length and suggesting ways to improve readability.
Summary of Comments ( 35 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43455251
Hacker News users discuss the discovery of a million-year-old human facial fragment, expressing excitement about the implications for understanding human evolution. Some question the certainty with which the researchers assign the fossil to Homo erectus, highlighting the fragmented nature of the find and suggesting alternative hominin species as possibilities. Several commenters also discuss the significance of Dmanisi, Georgia, as a key location for paleoanthropological discoveries, and the potential for future finds in the region. Others focus on the methodology, including the use of 3D reconstruction, and the challenges of accurately dating such ancient specimens. A few highlight the persistent difficulty of defining "species" in the context of evolving lineages, and the limitations of relying on morphology alone for classification.
The Hacker News post titled "Fragment of a human face aged over one million years discovered" (linking to a Science Daily article about a hominin facial fragment found in Spain) has several comments discussing the discovery's significance and implications.
Several commenters express excitement and wonder at the find, highlighting the vast timescale involved and the implications for understanding human evolution. One commenter reflects on the sheer length of time represented by a million years, emphasizing the numerous generations and evolutionary changes that have occurred since. Another notes the remarkable preservation of the fossil, considering its age.
A recurring theme in the comments is the ongoing debate and changing understanding of human lineage. Commenters discuss the complexity of the hominin family tree and how this new discovery might fit into it. Some highlight the difficulty of definitively placing such fragments within specific species, acknowledging the ongoing research and revisions within paleoanthropology. One user points out the fragmented nature of the fossil record and how each new discovery adds a piece to the puzzle but also potentially raises new questions.
Several commenters discuss the specific characteristics of the fossil, including its robust features, and speculate about the environment and lifestyle of the hominin it belonged to. There's discussion around the features that distinguish it from other known hominins of the period. Some comments delve into the possible relationship of this find to other hominin species found in the region, suggesting potential ancestral connections.
Some comments also touch on the methodology of paleoanthropology, including dating techniques and the process of reconstructing facial features from fragmented remains. There's a brief exchange about the reliability of such reconstructions and the potential for artistic interpretation.
Finally, a few commenters express hope for future discoveries and further research that could shed more light on this period of human evolution. The overall sentiment in the comments is one of fascination and curiosity about the deep history of humanity and the ongoing quest to understand our origins.