Homo erectus fossils push back human ancestor timeline

An international team of researchers has discovered that Homo erectus, an early human ancestor, appeared approximately 200,000 years earlier than previously believed. The findings, published in the journal Annals of Human Biology, suggest the species first emerged in southern Africa about 2 million years ago.

The discovery centers on fossil remains found at the Drimolen Main Quarry near Johannesburg, South Africa, a site often referred to as the ‘Cradle of Humankind’. A key piece of evidence is a new adult fossil, designated DNH 127, which provides critical confirmation of the species' timeline. While a previous skull fragment (DNH 134) had suggested a similar age, that specimen belonged to a child, making adult comparisons difficult.

Researchers analyzed 18 fossils using physical bone characteristics and geological dating techniques to establish the new timeline. The study also provided insights into other ancient human relatives, including findings linked to Paranthropus.