11,000-year-old human fossils found in Luang Prabang

(KPL) Ancient human fossils aged around 11,000 years old have been found in Luang Prabang province, said an archaeologist.

Dr. Joyce C White, who is also Senior Research Scientist at University of Pennsylvania, the United States, held a press conference here last week saying the Middle Mekong Archaeological Project (MMAP) with co-operation with the Heritage Department, the Ministry of Culture and Information and the University of Pennsylvania, had found five ancient human fossils in Vangtaleo Cave, Ban Phadeng Neung, Luang Prabang district in the same name province.

The discovery was the oldest human fossils ever found on the earth, said Dr. White.
In 2007, MMAP discovered a grave with ancient human fossils identified to have at least 1,800 years old in Phouphakhao Cave in Phonesavad village, Luang Prabang district, Luang Prabang province.

The Middle Mekong Archaeological Project in Laos was approved by the government in 2005. It is a survey conducted along three rivers such as Nam Khane, Nam Seuang and Nam Ou in Luang Prabang. A few months after its approval the project discovered 58 ancient caves in the province.