The study shows that an extinct human relative was capable of making and using tools

For more than half a century, scientists have debated whether an extinct human relative known for its extremely powerful jaws and massive teeth, Pronthropus bosi, had the ability to make and use tools.

Now, researchers have identified the first hand and foot bones unambiguously associated with the species, indicating that Pebosei had human-like dexterity with gorilla-like grip strength.

The study is published in the journal The nature.

“This discovery helps us understand a lot about Paranthropus bosi, especially how its hand shared similarities with members of our own genus Homo in developing its abilities.”

“It has modified gorilla morphology in ways that are adapted to grasping and processing hard plant foods with its hands, and these powerful grasping abilities are also quite useful for climbing.”

Paranthropus is an evolutionary cousin of Homo sapiens, possibly diverging from a common australopithecine ancestor 3 million years ago. Previously, P. boceae was known to scientists almost exclusively from fossilized skulls and teeth, more so than the rest of the skeleton, especially the hands and feet.

Because of this, it has been difficult for researchers to confidently provide details about their locomotor repertoire or their ability to make and use stone tools. Homo and Paranthropus fossils are sometimes found at the same fossil sites, but it is generally assumed that any stone tools at these sites should be attributed to Homo rather than Paranthropus.

“This is the first time we can confidently link Paranthropus bosi to specific hand and foot bones,” said Carrie S. Mongley, PhD, an anthropologist and assistant professor at Stony Brook University.

“The hand shows that it can form precision grips similar to ours, while also retaining powerful grip abilities like gorillas, and the foot is undoubtedly adapted for upright bipedal walking.”

The partial skeleton—designated KNM-ER 101000—was excavated and excavated between 2019 and 2021 at Kube Fora, on the east side of Lake Turkana, Kenya, from deposits dating back just over 1.5 million years.

“It took a lot of time to carefully remove the sediments that ultimately revealed these amazing fossils,” said Cyprien Knight, the excavation’s field director. “These specimens included cranial fragments, teeth and a remarkably well-preserved set of hand and foot bones.”

“There has been a long-standing controversy about whether this species made and used stone tools,” said the study’s co-author, Ph.D., from Lakehead University in Canada. “This fossil evidence effectively ends this debate.”

The team’s analysis shows that although P. boisii had distinctly human-like proportions, enabling it to manipulate stone tools as well as early Homo species, it still lacked the specialized wrist anatomy seen in later humans and Neanderthals.

The new discovery also intensifies the debate over the ecological roles of various early hominin species. Although early Homo species evolved to rely more on tool use, it had a highly specialized diet of plant foods, based on specific adaptations in its face, teeth, jaws, and now hands.

Paranthropus fossils have a rich history

“Overall, this discovery is a great example of how we can do long-term fieldwork that involves strong collaboration between researchers from around the world and the local communities that live in places where hominin fossils are preserved,” said Luc Leckey, whose team recovered the new fossil.

“None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the dedication and commitment of our local community partners, who spend seven to eight months a year exploring, surveying and excavating the area.”

“It’s certainly an exciting new era in paleoanthropology, which has changed so much and grown so much since my grandparents. [Louis and Mary Leakey] First Paranthropus bosi skull discovered in Oldovi and my parents [Richard and Meave Leakey] He said he first began focusing his research on the fossil-rich Turkana Basin in Kenya.

The study was conducted by an international team of researchers from the Turkana Basin Institute, National Museum Kenya, Kobe Fora Research Project, Stony Brook University, Kew Anschutz, Lakehead University, Washington University, St. Louis, Rutgers, University of Southern California, and the American Museum of Natural History.