New Evidence Shows First Human Ancestors Arrived in Southeast Asia Earlier Than Thought

The origin of humanity has long been the focus of scientific discoveries as researchers try to understand the actions of early humans further. Now, recent discoveries show that there is evidence that the first human ancestors arrived in Southeast Asia some 86,000 years ago.

New Evidence Reveals More About How Early Human Ancestors Traveled on Foot

According to a new study, early humans were known to travel on foot for miles and miles through unfavorable obstacles and circumstances. These included the lack of food, water, harsh terrains, and bad weather, Interesting Engineering reported.

The study shared the difficulties of piecing together the migration tales of human ancestors. Archaeologists were able to gather evidence of these lengthy travels due to the collection of thousands of years-old records.

New Discovered Evidence Adds Up to Previous Discoveries on to What Scientists Know of Human Ancestors

The records compiled in the investigation include those that were buried in different locations around the world. They were then cross-referenced and used to paint a massive picture of what early ancestors' migration tales might be like.

So far, more evidence keeps coming in, with scientists continuing to acquire new ones. Numerous ancient human artifacts remain hidden and are just waiting to be uncovered.

New Discovery in Northern Laos Cave Shows More Details About the Earliest Human Migrations

Recently, new evidence found in a cave in northern Laos provides a more detailed picture of the earliest human migration from Africa to Australia. This evidence for the earliest human presence in Southeast Asia was reportedly found buried in various sediment layers of Tam Pà Ling cave.

It reportedly shows that early modern humans traveled from Africa to Arabia and then Asia far earlier than previously assumed. Experts believe these humans passed by this cave between 86,000 and 68,000 years ago on their way to becoming Australia's First People.

University of Copenhagen Palaeoanthropologist Fabrice Demeter Talks About Evidence in the Cave

In a statement, Fabrice Demeter, a palaeoanthropologist from the University of Copenhagen, and one of the research paper's lead authors, said the Tam Pà Ling cave plays a significant role in the story of modern human migration through Asia. However, Demeter noted that its significance and value are "only just being recognized."

In 2009, a skull and mandible were discovered in this cave. The skeleton was discovered to belong to Homo sapiens, who had moved through the Southeast Asia region thousands of years ago.

Evidence Found in the Northern Laos Cave

In this latest finding, an international group of researchers found seven parts of the human skeleton at 4.5 meters intervals, two complete bovid teeth at 6.5 meters, and a fragment of a leg bone at seven meters from the cave.

The scientists applied several dating techniques to the skeletons' remains, and they discovered that these humans arrived in this cave between 86,000 and 68,000 years ago.

This new dating analysis pushed prehistoric humans' first arrival to mainland Southeast Asia further back to about 40,000 years. The new findings also showed that the early ancestors had the ability to travel in forested areas and inland river systems to reach other parts of the world.

The study's results were reported in the journal Nature Communications.