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5d ago

13 Fossil Teeth Show Early Homo Coexisted With Unnamed Australopithecus in Ethiopia

Dated to between 2.6 and 2.8 million years by volcanic ash layers, the new teeth reinforce a branching human evolutionary model, underscoring the need for further finds to formally describe the species.

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Overview

  • Researchers recovered 13 dental fossils from the Ledi-Geraru site in Ethiopia, attributed to both Australopithecus and early Homo individuals.
  • Interbedded volcanic ash layers and argon-argon dating anchored the teeth firmly within a 2.6–2.8 million-year window.
  • Morphological traits distinguish the Australopithecus specimens from known species like A. afarensis and A. garhi, indicating a previously unrecognized taxon.
  • The simultaneous presence of Australopithecus and early Homo supports a non-linear, branching pattern in early human evolution.
  • Ongoing enamel and isotope analyses, along with further excavations, aim to uncover additional fossils needed to formally name the new hominid species.