Ancient Israeli skull sheds new light on human evolution

Scientists have discovered the first fossil that appears to document human migration out of Africa and to Europe, by way of the Middle East. An Israeli skull that's roughly 55,000 years old was found in northern Israel's Manot Cave in the Galilee region.

The earliest remains of modern humans in Europe date to 45,000 years ago, according to The Associated Press. The newly discovered skull resembles ancient skulls found in Europe. Previously, scientists didn't have fossil evidence that "fits so well with what was believed about the ancient migration," AP notes. The fossil shows that modern humans in the Middle East "already had physical traits a bit different from other Africans they were leaving behind," The New York Times reports.

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The skull also suggests that early humans interbred with Neanderthals, according to the researchers. Neanderthals were already known to live in the area at the time, so the skull documents the coexistence of Neanderthals and modern humans in the region. Experts note that the skull dates to the estimated time of the interbreeding, which is thought to have taken place between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago.