Oase 2

Exhibit Item
Site: Peştera cu Oase, Romania
Year of Discovery:
Discovered by: Ştefan Milota, Ricardo Rodrigo, Oana Moldovan and João Zilhão
Age: About 41,500–39,500 years old
Species: Homo sapiens
No Scan

This skull looks modern but retains a few archaic traits, such as wide cheek bones. Some scientists wonder if this means that on rare occasions Homo sapiens interbred with Neanderthals, who lived in Europe at the same time.

side view of Homo sapiens, Oase 2 skull; Pestera cu Oase, Romania
Homo sapiens, Oase 2, Pestera cu Oase, Romania
(James Di Loreto, & Donald H. Hurlbert, Smithsonian Institution)