article_snippet: Scientists say the fossil, which is known as LD 350-1, is recognisably human but also has more primative features that suggests it is older than other fossils belonging to the Homo family.
article_snippet: To have a glimpse of the very earliest phase of our lineage’s evolution is particularly exciting. '
article_snippet: The new discovery has helped to fill a huge gap in the fossil record.
article_snippet: These are thought to be one of the main driving forces that led to the evolution of the Homo lineage and eventually our own species.
article_snippet: Another study published in the journal Nature has also provided convincing evidence that LD 350-1 was a common human ancestor to the Homo family.
article_snippet: Dr Simon Underdown, an anthropologist at Oxford Brookes University, said the discovery of LD 350-1 could help scientists unravel the complex beginnings of our own species.
article_snippet: Dr Simon Underdown, an anthropologist at Oxford Brookes University said: 'It gives our a better understanding of what was happening at the earlier end of the genus Homo. '
highlights_snippet: Discovery has helped fill a huge gap in the fossil record of our evolution .
  
highlights_snippet: Scientists say Discovery could provide new clues about how our species evolved .