140,000-Year-Old Homo Erectus Discoveries Rewrite History of Sundaland
Archaeological finds off the coast of Java, Indonesia, are rewriting our understanding of Homo erectus. Fossil remains, including skull fragments, unearthed during dredging operations in the Madura Strait, reveal a surprisingly mobile Homo erectus population inhabiting Sundaland, a vast lowland area now submerged. The discoveries, including evidence of hunting and diverse dietary habits, challenge previous theories of isolated Javanese Homo erectus populations. The findings point to a rich ecosystem and suggest interaction with other hominin groups, painting a far more complex picture of early human life in Southeast Asia 140,000 years ago. This unique collection, spanning 36 vertebrate species, offers unprecedented insight into the region's past biodiversity.