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Homo erectus fossil discoveries in South Africa

Overview

Archaeologists and an international research team have described 18 new hominin fossils discovered at the Drimolen Main Quarry in South Africa. The findings identify remains from two distinct species: Homo erectus and Paranthropus robustus.

A significant component of the discovery is a skull fragment of an adult Homo erectus, designated DNH 127, which is estimated to be approximately 2 million years old. This specimen represents the first adult Homo erectus attributed to the Drimolen site, providing context to a 2020 discovery of a child's skull (DNH 134) from the same area. The age of this fragment suggests that Homo erectus appeared in South Africa roughly 200,000 years earlier than previously thought, predating known adult specimens from other regions like Dmanisi, Georgia.

The research, detailed in the journal ‘Annals of Human Biology’, also highlights evolutionary divergence between the two species coexisting in the region. While Homo erectus exhibited larger brains and smaller molars, Paranthropus robustus underwent microevolution resulting in larger teeth and stronger chewing muscles. At the time of these fossils, Paranthropus robustus was significantly more numerous in the Drimolen area than Homo erectus. The dating of the site was confirmed using multiple methods, including paleomagnetism and uranium-lead dating of flowstones.

Entities

Jesse Martin · Drimolen Main Quarry · La Trobe University · Homo erectus · Annals of Human Biology

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Homo erectus fossils push back human ancestor timeline

    New fossil analysis from South Africa's Drimolen Main Quarry suggests Homo erectus appeared 200,000 years earlier than expected, dating back approximately 2 million years.

  2. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Drimolen fossil discovery reveals 2-million-year-old Homo erectus

    A 2-million-year-old Homo erectus skull fragment discovered in South Africa's Drimolen cave suggests the species inhabited the region earlier than previously recorded for adults.

  3. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Homo erectus fossils in South Africa suggest earlier species emergence

    New fossil discoveries at South Africa's Drimolen Main Quarry confirm Homo erectus was present 2 million years ago, appearing 200,000 years earlier than previously recorded for the species.

Sources

burgasmedia.com · conowego.pl · n1info.hr · naukawpolsce.pap.pl · ng.24.hu · sciencealert.com · vosveteit.zoznam.sk

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history