Earliest Homo debate

Article Abstract:

Andrew Hill and colleagues made some premature estimates of the KNM-BC1 fossil specimen's age based on isotope dates, its strata when found in Kenya and the skull's petrous crest angles. Hill proposes that this fossil is the earliest known hominid but the dating process used can only support that it is younger than 2.45 million years, not that it is from that time. In addition, the skull measurements place it closer to Homo erectus than australopithecines. Hill contends that his dating was supported by other methods and that the skull's edge morphology also supports his conclusions.

Methods, Archaeological dating

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Earliest Homo not proven

Article Abstract:

A. Hill and colleagues' identification of temporal bone KNM-BC 1 as the oldest known example of the genus Homo relies on questionable anatomical analysis and is therefore doubtful. This specimen was found in the Chemeron formation of Kenya's Lake Baringo. Both the mandibular fossa and the superior margin of the petrous pyramid are insufficient to settle whether this specimen should be classed in the genus Homo or the genus Australopithecus.

Research

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The earliest toothless hominin skull

Article Abstract:

A detailed description is presented on a beautifully preserved skull and jawbone from a Dmanisi hominin of 1.77 million years ago, as of April 2005, who had lost all but one tooth several years before death. This specimen represents the earliest case of severe masticatory impairment in the hominin fossil record to be discovered till now raising many questions about alternative subsistence strategies in early Homo.

Georgia, Discovery and exploration, Anthropological research, Fossil hominids

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