More human bone fossils unearthed in Okinawa cave

More human bones have been unearthed in a cave in Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, where the country's oldest bones were previously discovered.

In 2007, human bone fragments estimated to be about 20,000 years old were found in the cave on Ishigaki Island.

An excavation team reported on Thursday that about 300 additional fragments, including thighbones and upper jaw bones, were discovered in the cave.

Some of the fragments are estimated to be about 20,000 to 24,000 years old, based on studies of coals unearthed with the bones.

The team will further analyze the bones to determine their exact age.

Hisao Baba, a member of the team and an honorary researcher at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, said the discovery will help scientists in their search for the origin of the Japanese people.