By: FRANCO VIVIANI
This article details a palaeoanthropological discovery in the Zarqa Valley, Jordan, by a research team led by Fabio Parenti. The region, once a crossroads of human migration during the Pleistocene, has yielded stone tools attributed to the Oldowan culture, dated between 2.5 and 2 million years ago. These findings predate the commonly accepted migration of hominins from Africa by 400,000 years. The discovery includes a trihedrons estimated to be over two million years old, suggesting the presence of advanced techniques compared to those observed in African data. However, the identity of the hominins remains uncertain, with hypotheses ranging from Homo erectus to Homo habilis or as yet unknown species. The dissemination of research findings is often hindered by various factors, including challenges related to publication and cognitive bias among scholars. The discovery provides insights into human evolution, including mobility, adaptation and innovation, and invites reflection on contemporary challenges such as climate change.
