Homo erectus fossils in South Africa suggest earlier species emergence

Archaeologists have described 18 new hominin fossils discovered at the Drimolen Main Quarry in South Africa, providing new insights into human evolution. An international research team from Australia, South Africa, and the USA identified the remains as belonging to two distinct species: Homo erectus and Paranthropus robustus.

A key finding is a skull fragment of an adult Homo erectus estimated to be approximately 2 million years old. This discovery suggests that the species appeared in South Africa about 200,000 years earlier than previously thought, predating known adult specimens from other regions, such as Dmanisi in Georgia.

The study also highlights evolutionary differences between the two species living in the same area. While Homo erectus developed larger brains and smaller molars—potentially linked to increased meat consumption—Paranthropus robustus underwent microevolution characterized by larger teeth and stronger chewing muscles to process harder foods. At the time, Paranthropus robustus was significantly more numerous in the Drimolen area than Homo erectus.