Archive · 27 May 2025
New Homo Erectus Fossils Reveal Migration Across Ancient Sundaland
Homo erectus, an early human ancestor, lived at least 2 million years ago and was the first to leave Africa.
New fossil discoveries in the Indonesian region reveal that Homo erectus migrated across what was once a large landmass called Sundaland.
This land, which is now underwater, existed during a glacial period.
The area was a mix of grasslands and forests, with rivers and various animals.
Homo erectus hunted animals, and their hunting techniques suggest they may have learned them through cultural exchange.
Homo erectus is believed to have survived on Java until around 117,000 years ago, which was later than they lived elsewhere in Asia.
Homo erectus migrated across Sundaland.
Sundaland was a large landmass with open plains and rivers.
Sea levels were low in the region during a glacial period 140,000 years ago.
Homo erectus hunted animals, including river turtles and large terrestrial animals.
Hunting techniques raise questions about cultural exchange with other human relatives.
- Who
- Homo erectus, an extinct human ancestor
- What
- Fossil discoveries reveal Homo erectus migrated across Sundaland
- When
- Approximately 140,000 years ago, with H. erectus surviving until about 117,000 years ago
- Where
- Sundaland (now submerged Indonesian region), Java
- Why
- To understand the migration and survival of Homo erectus, and their hunting techniques
- Species
- Homo erectus
- Era
- Glacial Period
- Location of fossils
- Indonesian region
- Landmass
- Sundaland
- Timeline of Sundaland
- Existed 140,000 years ago
- H. erectus survival on Java
- Until ~117,000 years ago