English 
Spanish 
3 min read
0 comments
With stone tools and fossils dating back two million years, the archaeological discovery at the Valea lui Grăunceanu site places Romania at the center of human history, surpassing records from Spain and Türkiye.
In the heart of Romania, the Valea lui Grăunceanu archaeological site in Vâlcea County has revealed remains that challenge what we know about early humans in Europe. Recent excavations have pointed to traces of hominids who lived there approximately two million years ago, making this the oldest European site with evidence of human activity.
But what makes this discovery so special? In addition to its impressive age, researchers found stone tools that indicate that the inhabitants of the region were skilled and already had a organization to manipulate the environment around it. This is a milestone, as it reinforces the idea that migrations “out of Africa” may have occurred much earlier than previously thought.
The link with “out of Africa” migrations
These migrations are believed to have occurred before Homo erectus left the African continent, around 1,8 to 1,9 million years ago. This places the inhabitants of Romania at a crucial moment in human evolution, suggesting that they may have been pioneers in the occupation of Europe.
- New deposit in the End of the World Vault!
- Elon Musk's Starlink now has rivals in Brazil, including a company from China; Check out the new competitors!
- Iconic US mountain is shrinking — dropping from 4.410 feet to 4.407 feet
- This is the largest crankshaft in the world — it belongs to a 107.390 horsepower diesel engine
Fossil evidence shows anthropogenic modifications, such as incisions on bones, that indicate the intentional removal of flesh. This behavior reflects not only the ability to use tools, but also advanced social organization, which opens up new theories about early migrations.
Scientific analysis and advanced archaeological method
Technological advances played a key role in this discovery. The research team used high-resolution microscopes and the uranium-lead dating technique to determine the age of the fossils. This method is one of the most effective tools for objects over a million years old, ensuring accuracy in analysis.
Researchers analyzed nearly 5.000 fossils, looking for signs of artificial modifications to their surfaces. And they found something extraordinary: clear evidence that early hominids used tools to process meat. This reinforces the theory that these individuals had a considerable degree of adaptation to the European environment.
Comparison with other European sites
Until now, the title of oldest archaeological site in Europe belonged to Barranco León in Spain, with fossils dating back 1,5 million years. Other sites, such as Kocabaş in Turkey and Sima del Elefante, also in Spain, had fossils dating back between 1,3 and 1,1 million years.
However, the discovery in Romania surpasses all these records, putting the country in the spotlight on the archaeological map. The study published in the journal Nature also points out that this new evidence alters the timeline of the presence of the genus Homo in Europe, highlighting that the occupation occurred much earlier than previously believed.
Impact of the discovery on the study of human evolution
This new evidence does not just challenge previous theories, but they also raise new questions about how early hominids adapted to the European environment. Did they face severe climate change? How do the tools found compare to those from other sites?
Discoveries like these help us better understand human origins and the complex journey our ancestors took to explore the world. Each new fossil, each mark left on a stone or bone, is a piece of a puzzle that continues to fascinate us.
