New research published in PNAS has utilized advanced Argon-Argon (40Ar/39Ar) dating on volcanic ash layers associated with stone tools in the Nihewan Basin. The results push back the presence of Homo erectus in Northern China to 1.2 million years ago, suggesting a much earlier and more resilient expansion of early humans into high-latitude environments.
The study indicates that these hominins were capable of surviving in significantly colder climates than their ancestors in East Africa, implying advanced social cooperation and possibly early fire use. This chronological adjustment forces a major rethink of the timing and drivers of the first great human migration out of Africa.