Fragments of a partial skull unearthed in a cave in northern Spain have revealed a previously unknown population of ancient humans, according to new research.

A fragment of a face from a human ancestor is the oldest in Western Europe, according to the results published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

A fossil of a partial face from a human ancestor is the oldest in western Europe, archaeologists reported Wednesday. The incomplete skull — a section of the left cheek bone and upper jaw – was found in northern Spain in 2022.