Ancient Humans
A discovery of Paranthropus remains in northern Ethiopia has revealed that the ape-like hominins inhabited a broader geographic area than previously thought. The 2.6-million-year-old jawbone and tooth, unearthed in the Afar region, suggest these early humans adapted to diverse environments. This finding challenges earlier views of their limited versatility.
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Archaeologists have uncovered traces of plant toxins on arrowheads dating back 60,000 years in South Africa, providing the oldest direct evidence of ancient hunters using poisons. This discovery pushes back the known timeline for such practices by tens of thousands of years. The findings highlight early human sophistication in exploiting plant biochemistry.
A study of fossil teeth reveals that prehistoric hominids were exposed to lead for at least 2 million years, potentially influencing brain evolution. Modern humans appear to have adapted better to the toxin than relatives like Neanderthals, according to research using ancient samples and brain organoids. However, some experts question the extent of this exposure and its evolutionary implications.