between 1991 and 2005. At 1.8 million years old, they are now believed to be a subspecies of Homo erectus and not a separate species of Homo. These fossils represent the earliest known human presence in the Caucasus. Subsequently, four fossil skeletons were found, showing a species primitive in its skull and upper body but with relatively advanced spines and lower limbs. They are now thought to represent a stage soon after the transition from Australopithecus to Homo erectus. Human habitation in the Caucasus goes back to the remotest antiquity. The hominin remains discovered in 1991 by David Lordkipanidze at Dmanisi, Kvemo Kartli (1.8 million years old) are the oldest found outside Africa. Neanderthal remains have been found at Ortvale K’lde (1973) and elsewhere in the Caucasus (36,000–50,000 years old). The Dmanisi hominin remains are still making an impact on the paleontological community. the Dmanisi skull 5 is in the middle of the controversy: many hominin fossils formerly thought to be different species may not have been separate species at all. Several early members of the genus Homo were possibly one evolving lineage. Gallery See also Prehistoric Georgia Human evolution List of human evolution fossils Kvemo Kartli References External links Dmanisi archaeological site Kalmakoff, Jonathan J. Doukhobor Genealogy Website Cities and towns in Kvemo Kartli Prehistoric sites in Georgia (country) Former populated places in the Caucasus Buildings and structures in Kvemo Kartli Tiflis Governorate