It is the earliest evidence of modern human out of
Africa in
out of the African Continent.
Welcome to watch Mojo. And today we're counting down the
most fascinating,
revealing, mysterious, and important skulls that archaeology has uncovered over
the years.
So this skull with its plaster face was found at
Jericho,
and he was actually part of a set of seven
people who were all buried together
#10 The demoni Sea skulls Homo erectus.
This fossilized human Homo erectus skull may be about to
change the textbooks comprising 5 crania.
These Homo erectus specimens date back
1.8 million years and challenge prior taxonomic classifications,
suggesting a greater morphological diversity within the species.
The cranial variations observed in the demoni sea skulls point
to regional adaptations questioning the notion of a homogeneous Homo
erectus population during the Pleistocene epoch.
Simply, it may mean all the world's peoples have one
common ancestor.
These findings prompt a re evaluation of early human dispersals,
emphasizing their adaptability and flexibility in diverse environmental contexts.
Their significance lies in their capacity to reshape our grasp
of the evolutionary dynamics and behavioral complexities in the genus
during a critical period in prehistory
#9, the tongue child Australopithecus africanus.
Very early attempt at the
reconstruction of what the tongue child would have looked like
when it was alive. This fossilized skull of Australopithecus africanus
was discovered in South Africa in
1924 and dates back 2.8 million years.
After working with the hammers and chisels and knitting needles,
this magnificent face emerged. It is a pivotal artifact in
paleoanthropology,
offering insights into early hominins.
Notably, the tongue. Child exhibits evidence of bipedal locomotion and
tool use,
challenging previous notions about the cognitive and locomotor capabilities of
hominins during the Pliocene epic.
Even though it was a very small brain
and it this was a biped,
the fossil provides A crucial link in the evolutionary transition
from ape like ancestors to more bipedal and tool using
hominins.
Its significance extends to the broader narrative of evolution.
#8 Wei Zompatli Homo sapiens Hidden behind this nondescript facade
is a structure as historic as it is gruesome.
A monumental structure from the Aztec civilization.
The Hawaii Zompatli held profound cultural and ritual significance.
Translating to great skull rack.
It was a platform adorned with impaled skulls of sacrificial
victims.
Archaeologists have so far uncovered well over 600 skulls and
have been working for the past six years to uncover
the whole structure and to learn more about its construction.
Constructed in the capital city of Tenochtitlan,
this macabre display served as a visual testament to the
Aztecs reverence for the God Witsilo postle associated with war
and the sun.
The skulls, meticulously arranged in rows,
symbolized the Aztec worldview, which intertwined life,
death and cosmology. The Huizon Patli reflected the ideological underpinnings
of Aztec society,
illustrating the ritualistic and spiritual dimensions embedded in their architectural
and artistic expressions during the height of their civilization.
The secrets that the skulls have been guarding for more
than 500 years
have provided new and important insights into Aztec culture.
#7 Lasha Pelosa Neanderthal Neanderthals are often depicted as brutish
Cavemen,
but science shows that our early ancestors were actually quite
advanced.
This Neanderthal specimen, discovered in France in 19 O eight,
dates back approximately 50,000 years.
The fossilized skull challenges earlier interpretations of Neanderthal anatomy,
particularly regarding posture. Initially perceived as evidence of a stooped
or hunched posture.
Later analysis suggested a more upright stance.
The Lachapelo saw find became central to debates on Neanderthal
cognitive abilities and cultural practices.
It's perennial features indicated adaptation to cold environments,
emphasizing the species resilience. The species also developed larger brains.
They were similar in size to modern humans brains and
were often larger.
The discovery significantly contributed to refining our knowledge of Neanderthal
morphology,
behavior, and adaptations, shedding light on the intricacies of evolution
during the late Pleistocene.
Evolution built them to be sturdy,
to survive their harsh environment,
but their tools, art and DNA tell us that their
resilience also involved innovation,
creativity and social behavior #6 Crystal Skulls.
During the late 19th century there was a lively trade
in fake pre Columbian artifacts,
with some even ending up in museums.
Among these artifacts were the famous crystal skulls supposedly dating
back to the Aztec or Maya civilizations.
The best known, the Mitchell Hedges skull,
was said to have been discovered in a temple in
Belize,
but was likely purchased from a London art dealer.
Anna Mitchell Hedges claimed that her skull had magical telepathic
powers.
She felt that he could stare into the left eye
socket and see the future.
Still, there is some mystery around their actual origins.
Studies have identified tool marks inconsistent with ancient technologies.
Scientists believe they were likely crafted in Germany in the
late 19th century from Brazilian quartz using just hand tools.
It would have been impossible for the ancient Aztecs to
create such perfectly straight lines as those on the British
and Smithsonian skulls.
The only way these straight lines could have been made
was by using Rotary cutting wheels
#5, the Liu Jiang skull,
Homo sapiens. This well preserved fossil,
discovered in 1958 in Guangxi,
China, dates back approximately 68,000 years and challenges prevailing models
of migration out of Africa.
Suggesting multiple waves of Homo sapiens dispersal,
it exhibits a unique combination of archaic and modern features.
Its discovery implies complex interactions and potential interbreeding among different
groups during the late Pleistocene.
The Liu Jiang skull plays a role in unraveling the
intricate mosaic of evolutionary pathways and adds nuance to our
comprehension of the diversity and adaptability of Homo sapiens across
geographical regions. #4 The Cobwe skull Homo heidelbergensis.
The Broken Hill skull, also known as the Cobwe skull,
was discovered in 1921 in Broken Hill,
Northern Rhodesia, now Cobwe, Zambia,
and is approximately 300,000 years old.
This Homo heidelbergensis fossil showcases a mix of archaic and
modern human features,
helping our understanding of evolution during the Middle Pleistocene.
Its morphology indicates a large brain case,
suggesting advanced cognitive abilities. The Broken Hill find is significant
in the study of Homo heidelbergensis,
bridging the gap between earlier species and humans in the
Pleistocene epic
#3, The Dreamland Skulls Parenthropus robustus.
The South African archaeological site has yielded a significant collection
of hominid fossils.
Dreaming was first discovered in
1992 by doctor Andre Kaiser and ever since then has
amassed a huge collection of fossils.
The site, dating back around 2,000,000 years,
has provided insights into hominid evolution.
Among the notable finds are hominid skulls attributed to Parenthesis
robustus and early Homo,
an incredibly famous fossil that was found at the site.
It's a female and it's the most complete cranium or
skull of any of the Paranthropus robustness ever found in
the world.
The presence of both robust australopithecines and Homo suggests coexistence
and potential interactions in the region.
The Dreamulin skulls, with their well preserved features,
offer crucial anatomical details for studying the evolutionary relationships and
behaviours of hominins during this critical phase of prehistory.
The amazing thing about coming to these sites is ultimately,
in turning over a little bit of dirt,
you can completely change our understanding of human evolution #2
The Jericho skulls,
Homo sapiens, Natufian culture, dating to approximately
9500 years ago. These were discovered in the Levant and
represent a noteworthy archaeological assemblage from Natufian culture.
Adorned with plaster, they offer intricate insights into the Mortuary
practices of the Natufian people.
It's a human skull. A real human skull that has
had a plaster face added over the top and then
eyes inlaid with marine shells.
Their discovery suggests A sophisticated engagement with the dead,
possibly involving ritualistic or symbolic elements.
So this skull, with its plaster face,
was found at Jericho, and he was actually part of
a set of seven people who were all buried together.
The application of plaster to the skulls indicates deliberate and
careful manipulation.
Emphasizing the cultural significance attached to these Mortuary practices,
they shed light on the Natufian Culture,
social organization, funerary customs, and symbolic expressions,
giving us information on the complexities of societies in the
Levant during the transition to settled life.
So we think of this as being a portrait because
the face is modeled on a real person.
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Number one, the Minot cranium,
Homo sapiens. Found in 2015 within the Minot Cave in
the western Galilee region of Israel,
this ancient skull is estimated to be around
54,000 years old, placing it in a critical period of
migration and interaction.
Modern humans actually entered this region
some 5000 years after the Neanderthals.
Exhibiting a unique combination of Neanderthal and modern characteristics,
the Minot cranium provides valuable insights into the possible interbreeding
between these distinct hominid groups.
This intermingling, suggested by the
cranium's morphology, is part of the complex evolutionary processes that
shaped the genetic diversity of anatomically modern humans during their
migration out of Africa.
It is the earliest evidence of modern human out of
Africa in
Out of the African Continent.
What archaeological discoveries do you find the most historically important?
Let us know in the comments.
People love mystery, and they probably as a result,
greatly prefer things such as the Crystal Skull to the
average archaeological presentation.
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