TBILISI, August 5 (RIA Novosti, Marina Kvaratskhelia) - Georgian scientists have discovered the skull of the most ancient man in Europe in Dmanisi, Eastern Georgia.

Preliminary reports age the skull at about 1,800 million years old, said Georgy Gabashvili, the Georgian Minister of Culture, Sports and Protection of Historic Monuments.

"This is the fifth unique discovery within the last five years of the remains of the most ancient man in Europe. The skull is still in the ground. The scientists are working on its extraction," Gabashvili said.

The skull is only partially uncovered and excavation is being done cautiously. The skull has undergone ultrasonic tests and the soil around it has been studied.

The minister said scientists found more proof that Dmanisi was the place of settlement for the first Europeans.

Georgia is waiting for foreign scientists to continue the excavations jointly with their Georgian counterparts in Dmanisi.