Scientists have digitally reconstructed the face of a man who lived approximately 315,000 years ago in North Africa, offering a glimpse into the facial appearance of some of the oldest known members of our species (humans).


The fossilized skull was discovered in the 1960s at Jebel Irhoud in Morocco during mining operations. Initially, researchers believed the remains belonged to Neanderthals.


However, subsequent analyses published in 2017 revealed that the fossils belonged to Homo sapiens (wise humans) and were classified among the oldest known remains of our species.


Data from present-day African populations was utilized


Cícero Moraes, a forensic facial reconstruction expert, led this new work. His team relied on a reconstructed 3D skull produced by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany.


Subsequently, soft tissues and other anatomical features were mapped using data from present-day African populations.


The resulting face appears surprisingly familiar.


Researchers say the man likely closely resembled modern humans, although there were some differences, including a more prominent forehead, a wider nose, and more facial projection.


Moraes says: "If he wore modern clothes in a crowd, he probably wouldn't be noticed at first glance."


Two versions have been created


Two versions of the reconstruction have been produced. One shows the face in grayscale, focusing on the basic anatomy. The other is a fully colored reconstruction that includes dark skin, hair, and a beard.


Researchers emphasized that the skull cannot reveal features such as skin, hair, or eye color. Therefore, these features were based on what are considered appropriate characteristics for the population of North Africa at that time.


The team also estimated the man's brain volume to be approximately 1,230 cubic centimeters, which is almost identical to the average brain volume of modern men, which is about 1,234 cubic centimeters.


This finding suggests that brain size may have changed very little over the past 300,000 years, although brain size alone is not an indicator of how the brain functions.


Scientists say there is still no certainty about exactly how the man's soft tissues and muscles were arranged. No soft tissue remains of Homo sapiens from that era have been found.


However, researchers believe that the shape of the skull placed significant constraints on the predicted arrangement of facial tissues.


22 human fossils have been found at Jebel Irhoud


At the Jebel Irhoud site, 22 fossilized human bones have been discovered, representing at least five Homo sapiens individuals: three adults, an adolescent, and a child.


Archaeologists have also found stone tools and evidence of fire at the site. Animal bones with butchery marks indicate that the group hunted animals or prepared their meat, including wild cattle, gazelles, and wild asses, along with ostrich eggs.


The study was published in the journal Heritage.


The reconstruction is a fascinating reminder that people with a recognizably human face lived in Africa tens of thousands of years before Homo sapiens began spreading across the globe.