A recent study published in Science reveals that two ancient hominid species, Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei, coexisted and crossed paths in East Africa around 1.5 million years ago. The discovery of footprints preserved on a muddy lakeshore indicates that the two species hung out there with slightly different gaits.
Study Published in Science Reveals Coexistence of Two Hominid Species
The study published in the November 29 issue of Science reveals that two ancient hominid species, Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei, coexisted and crossed paths in East Africa around 1.5 million years ago.
Footprints Indicate Different Gaits
The researchers analyzed footprints preserved at a 1.5-million-year-old Kenyan site, including impressions attributed to Paranthropus boisei. The study found that the two species had distinct gaits, with Homo erectus displaying a more human-like foot anatomy and gait.
H. erectus Ate Variety of Energy-Rich Foods
Homo erectus, which lived from nearly 2 million to roughly 117,000 years ago, ate a variety of energy-rich foods to support its large brain. This is in contrast to Paranthropus boisei, which had a taste for grasses and flowering plants called sedges.
P. boisei’s Big Toes May Have Been More Mobile
The study suggests that Paranthropus boisei’s big toes may have been more mobile than those of Homo erectus or modern humans. This underlines two comparably effective forms of walking, with the trackway attributed to Paranthropus boisei reflecting a fairly fast walking speed.
Coexistence and Possibly Direct Contacts
The researchers believe that the two species interacted at the ancient lake site, with coexistence and possibly direct contacts between them spanning up to 200,000 years. This study provides valuable insights into the behavior and interactions of early human ancestors.
References
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Hatala, K.G., et al. (2024). Footprint evidence for locomotor diversity and shared habitats among early Pleistocene hominins. Science, Vol. 386, November 29, 2024, p. 1004. doi: 10.1126/science.ado5275.
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Bower, B. (2021). Ancient footprints suggest a mysterious hominid lived alongside Lucy’s kind. Science News.
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Bower, B. (2020). Africa’s biggest collection of ancient human footprints has been found. Science News.
Two ancient hominid species with slightly different gaits crossed paths in East Africa.
The discovery of footprints preserved on what was once a muddy lakeshore indicates that the two species, each built to walk in its own way, hung out there around 1.5 million years ago.
Newly Discovered Foot Impressions
Newly discovered foot impressions at the northern Kenyan site, and footprints previously unearthed at a nearby location, offer glimpses of coexistence and possibly direct contacts between ancient hominid species over a span of up to 200,000 years.
The Two Species
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Homo erectus, a possible direct ancestor of H. sapiens
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Paranthropus boisei, small-brained and big-jawed with a taste for grasses and flowering plants called sedges
Footprint Analysis
Researchers compared digital 3-D models of ancient hominid footprints and trackways to those made by people today, including Kenyan herders who rarely or never wear shoes. The analysis revealed distinct gaits between the two species.
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Homo erectus footprints displayed a humanlike foot anatomy and gait
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Paranthropus boisei footprints showed fewer similarities to the feet and striding pattern of people today
Implications
The discovery provides evidence that the two species shared the same landscape and walked with slightly different gaits. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of human evolution and the interactions between ancient hominid species.
