Scientists Find Homo Erectus Fossils in South Africa

Topic: Biology

Archaeologists from La Trobe University found 18 new fossils of Homo erectus and P. robustus in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind. The discovery is 200,000 years earlier than previously thought. The fossils are about 2 million years old.

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind. Archaeologists from La Trobe University found 18 new fossils of Homo erectus and P. robustus. These ancient human relatives lived around 2 million years ago.

The discovery is significant because it shows that Homo erectus was present in southern Africa much earlier than previously believed. In fact, the fossils are about 200,000 years older than adult Homo erectus fossils found elsewhere.

One of the new fossils is a skull fragment belonging to Homo erectus. This is the first known adult Homo erectus fossil from Drimolen Main Quarry in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind. The quarry was discovered in 1992 and excavated until 2019, but many of the fossils found there were never formally described.

The researchers also found evidence that P. robustus changed over time. Between about 2 million and 1.8 million years ago, the species developed larger teeth and more powerful chewing muscles. This is different from Homo erectus, which was developing a larger brain and smaller molar teeth.

Why It Matters

This discovery helps us understand how our ancestors evolved over time. It also shows that different human relatives lived in Africa around 2 million years ago, and they had different characteristics.

Key Facts

• 18 new fossils of Homo erectus and P. robustus were found in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind.
• The discovery is about 200,000 years earlier than previously thought.
• The fossils are around 2 million years old.
• Homo erectus was present in southern Africa much earlier than previously believed.
• P. robustus developed larger teeth and more powerful chewing muscles over time.

Key Terms

Hominin

A member of the human family, including ancient human relatives.

Cradle of Humankind

A site in South Africa where many fossils of ancient humans have been found.

P. robustus

An ancient human relative that lived around 2 million years ago in Africa.

Implications

This discovery helps us understand how our ancestors evolved over time. It also shows that different human relatives lived in Africa around 2 million years ago, and they had different characteristics.