One million year "Homo-erectus" Found In Iran

05 January 2005

Iranian paleontologists have found 3 teeth belonging to a 1-million-year human being in Maragheh in eastern Azerbaijan, northwest of Iran.

The new discovery by these scientists takes back the signs of settlement in Iran that belonged to 100 thousand years ago on the basis of studies in regions like Kermanshah and Lorestan to a million years ago.

"Of the 3 teeth, 2 are molars and the third tooth is a canine. The teeth belong to a homo-erectus", Amir-hossein Kokabi-nezhad, paleontology expert in Iran's natural history museum, told CHN.

Homo-erectus or the 1st upright man lived about 1 to 1.5 million years ago. Homo-erectus discovered fire, lived in caves, was a hunter-gatherer, and made tools.

In their paleontological studies in Maragheh region, experts have so far found pieces of fossilized horse, giraffe, rhino, and elephant dating back to at least a million years ago. The discovery of these fossils close to the teeth has helped the scientists reach a more precise date for the teeth.

The remains of the oldest human being so far belong to Lucy, a 3.3-million-year fossil found in Ethiopia.

Paleontological studies in Maragheh region is done under the supervision of the Natural History Museum with the cooperation of Tabriz University in eastern Azerbaijan that currently holds the 1-million-year teeth for more research.

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