Fossil discovery in Ethiopia could rewrite history of human evolution

Scientists believe jawbone dating back 2.8m years belongs to one of the world's very first humans

Ethiopian desert
(Image credit: 2007 AFP)

Scientists in Ethiopia have discovered a fossilised jawbone which they believe could push back the beginning of humankind by almost half a million years.

The 2.8 million-year-old fossil was unearthed in the Ethiopian desert by local graduate student Chalachew Seyoum, who said he was "stunned" by the discovery.

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