Remains found at Skhul and Qafzeh in Israel date to between 119, 000 and 81, 000 years ago.

BBC: Humans 'left Africa much earlier'

These fossils, which date back some 100, 000 years, come from two sites in Israel, called Skhul and Qafzeh.

ECONOMIST: Gaining the upper hand

Now the dates for beads from Skhul and Oued Djebbana further weaken the "cultural explosion" scenario, says Stringer.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Study reveals 'oldest jewellery'

But the Skhul and Qafzeh people are generally thought to have died out or retreated south, perhaps because of climatic fluctuations.

BBC: Humans 'left Africa much earlier'

The Skhul and Qafzeh skeletons are not identical with those of modern people but are clearly distinguishable from those of Neanderthals, and are generally classified as an early form of Homo sapiens.

ECONOMIST: Gaining the upper hand

Professor Stringer said the fact that the tools found at Jebel Faya did not resemble those associated with modern humans at Qafzeh and Skhul hinted at "yet more complexity in the exodus of modern humans from Africa".

BBC: Humans 'left Africa much earlier'