Homo sapiens settled in Sri Lanka 40,000 years ago

21.06.2012 [18:57]
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Baku, June 21 (AZERTAC). A complete human skeleton has been found in Sri Lanka, archaeologists have said.

The complete skeleton, which could be the oldest found so far in South Asia, was excavated from a cave in western Sri Lanka.

The skeleton, thought to be homo sapien, was found in Fa Hien Cave in the district of Kalutara, Western Province, Sri Lanka.

According to the BBC, officials said they would send the skeleton for carbon-dating and expect results in a month.

Other items, such as stone and bone tools, excavated from the same layer as the skeleton, have been confirmed as dating back 37,000 years.

Archaeologist Nimal Perera said that the skeleton proves that homo sapiens were settled in Sri Lanka about 40,000 years ago.

He said that it is for the first time that a complete pre-historic human skeleton has been unearthed in Sri Lanka, and more evidence is currently being unearthed about its eating habits, rituals and equipment made out of stone.

Some ornaments made of beads have also been excavated, as have weapons made of animal bone, Perera said.

Homo sapiens settled in Sri Lanka 40,000 years ago

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