A series of stunning palaeontological discoveries is challenging the conventional view that Africa is the sole cradle of humankind. Scientists have found a number of ancient human skulls at an archaeological site near the village of Dmanisi (Georgian: დმანისი) in Georgia that suggest a Eurasian chapter in the evolutionary story of mankind.
Experts believe the fossilized bones date to about 1.8 million years ago and are the oldest indisputable remains of humans discovered outside of Africa.
An international team, led by David Lordkipanidze (Director of the Georgian National Museum), found the first human jaw there in 1991. Between then and 2007, fossils from six individuals have been found at the Dmanisi site. Two have been given Georgian names, Zezva and Mzia (Georgian: ზეზვა და მზია), and have been reconstructed by artists to show how they may have looked.