An extraordinary discovery, which took place thanks to the low flow of the river Po : half hidden by the gravel, at the point where the river crosses the Adda, on the border between the provinces of Cremona and Piacenza, an "archaic" human skull was found, belonging to one of the early homo sapiens .
The discovery - which took place last September, but was only made official today in conjunction with the launch of the research project - was made by Davide Persico , professor of paleontology at the University of Parma and mayor of San Daniele Po (Cremona).
The remains probably date back to the Paleolithic (period between 2 million years ago and 10 thousand BC) and two parietal bones and the occipital bone remain.
The homo sapiens to which the skull belongs was called "Acamar" , after one of the stars of the constellation Eridanus, the ancient name of the Po.
"We were engaged in an excursion to observe the river and the discovery was completely accidental ," explained Persico. Adding: «I immediately reported the find to the archaeological superintendency and we will carry out in-depth studies. The dating is still uncertain because all the necessary studies have to be carried out, but it is certainly archaic and I believe it can go back to the Paleolithic . On Friday the find will be taken to Ravenna for the first investigations, genetic and with Carbon 14», concluded the paleontologist.
(Unioneonline/lf)
