Rewriting human history
In an unusual turn of events, renowned palaeontologist Robert Broom was intrigued by a scientific discovery made by a 15-year-old boy in 1938. At that time, South Africa was gaining attention for its extremely primitive-looking hominin fossils. When Broom learned that the schoolboy, Gert Terblanche, had unearthed fragments of a hominin skull in a local cave, he wasted no time in seeking out the young discoverer. Broom’s efforts paid off when he found Terblanche with “four of what are perhaps the most valuable teeth in the world in his trouser pocket”.
After a few months of analysis, Broom concluded that these fossils were unlike anything previously discovered and subsequently coined a new name for the ancient hominin: Paranthropus. Despite Broom’s confidence in the significance of the remains, Paranthropus never achieved widespread recognition, possibly due to its peculiar nature. While it shared similarities with our small-brained ancestors, it existed on Earth long after other ape-like hominins had given way to humans with larger brains. Even within the field of palaeoanthropology, Paranthropus is often described as the “forgotten” hominin.
However, recent discoveries of additional fossils have spurred a re-evaluation of this enigmatic addition to the evolutionary tree. Researchers have uncovered evidence suggesting that Paranthropus was a proficient tool-maker, potentially grazed on grass like a cow, and communicated with low rumbles akin to an elephant.
Unraveling evolutionary oddities
As scientists delve deeper into the study of Paranthropus, they aim to gain insights into how this unique hominin not only survived but thrived in a world dominated…
