Uncovering the Secrets of Paranthropus boisei
Researchers in Kenya have excavated the first hand and foot bones belonging to Paranthropus boisei, an overlooked human ancestor.
When it comes to our evolutionary cousins, Neanderthals often get the most attention, but there were dozens of other ancient hominin species that existed for hundreds of thousands of years.
Other Notable Hominin Species
- Homo erectus, which may have been one of the first human relatives to migrate into Europe
- Homo bodoensis, which evolved a distinctive, three-part segmented brow
The tool-wielding, yarn-weaving Homo neanderthalensis may have outlasted its Homo sapien cousins instead of going extinct around 40,000 years ago.
Author's summary: Paranthropus boisei used tools with a gorilla-like grip.