In the period between 300,000 and 400,000 years before present, the Kashmir Valley was home to many extinct species of large mammals, among which the members of the genus Palaeoloxodon, exceptionally large elephants with straight tusks, stood out. The remains of several of these elephants, along with stone tools, indicate that early humans exploited the carcasses of these animals for extracting bone marrow, which represents the oldest known example of carnivory on the Indian subcontinent.

Although fossils were first discovered in 2000, their complete analysis was only completed in 2024. Recent studies bring new evidence that testify to human activity on these remains. The fossils were found near the town of Pampore, located along the Jhelum River, where ancient humans used simple stone tools to process bones to obtain bone marrow, a crucial energy source in their diet. This discovery shifts the boundaries of our understanding of the dietary habits of ancient humans during that period, as it was previously believed that butchering activities began much later.

Interestingly, the elephants of the genus Palaeoloxodon were far larger than today's elephants. They weighed over 12 tons, almost twice as much as modern African elephants. Members of this genus are recognizable by their unusually large foreheads that protrude above their nostrils, which is one of the main morphological characteristics that distinguishes them from other elephants. The latest fossils discovered in Kashmir belong to the species Palaeoloxodon turkmenicus, which was previously known only from fragments of skulls found in Turkmenistan in 1955.

One of the key fossils found in Pampore is a nearly complete skull of an adult elephant. This skull provides a unique opportunity for detailed analysis, as previous finds of this species were incomplete or severely damaged. In addition to the skull, hyoid bones were also found, which are located in the back of the throat and serve as a connection between the tongue and the throat. These bones are extremely delicate and rarely preserved in fossils, but they are extremely useful for distinguishing species within the genus Palaeoloxodon.

The analysis of the fossils showed that one of the adult elephants suffered from a severe chronic sinus infection. This pathology could have weakened the animal and led to its death. However, the scientists did not find direct evidence of hunting, such as remnants of weapons or traces of spears in the bones. Instead, they believe that hominins may have encountered a dead elephant that succumbed to its health problems or was trapped in soft mud by the river.

The stone tools found, which were used for processing bones, were made from basalt, a rock that is not present in the immediate vicinity of the site. This indicates that the raw materials were brought from distant regions, and the tools were completed on site. These tools belong to the so-called "Mode 3" technology, which involves more advanced tool-making methods compared to earlier technologies. Such complexity in tool making suggests that hominins of that period were highly capable of adapting their skills and tools to different environmental conditions.

This discovery provides the earliest evidence of human presence on the Indian subcontinent, significantly expanding our understanding of the history of early humans in this region. Until now, the only hominin fossil found in this area was the Narmada Man fossil, discovered in 1982. This fossil exhibited a mix of characteristics of older and newer hominins, suggesting that the Indian subcontinent played a crucial role in the spread and evolution of early humans.

The discovery of fossils in Pampore is important not only because of its rarity but also due to its complete preservation. The skull of Palaeoloxodon turkmenicus found at this site is the best-preserved specimen of this species on the Indian subcontinent. Until now, fossils of this species have only been found once, in Turkmenistan, but those remains were far less complete. The new discovery allows paleontologists to study the evolutionary changes within the genus Palaeoloxodon in more detail and to better understand how these species spread from Africa to Eurasia.

Scientists involved in the research believe that further studies could reveal even more evidence of carnivorous activities of hominins in this part of the world. Given that humans have been carnivores for millions of years, there is a high probability that there are still undiscovered fossils and archaeological sites that could further illuminate this phase of human history.

The discovery in Pampore not only expands our knowledge of human evolution but also of the evolution of large mammals like elephants. The genus Palaeoloxodon appeared in Africa about a million years ago and later spread to Eurasia, where it evolved into different species adapted to local conditions. The fossils from Kashmir provide a unique insight into the transitional phases in the evolution of this genus, as they show morphological characteristics that lie between earlier African species and later Eurasian species.

Considering the exceptional importance of these fossils, scientists plan further research at the Pampore site to uncover additional information about the animals and humans who lived in that area. They believe that further excavations could uncover even more fossils and tools, which would further expand our understanding of early humans and their interactions with the environment.

Source: Florida Museum of Natural History