African fossils reveal complex, ancient Homo genus origins

New research reveals a more complex and ancient origin for the Homo genus, based on the study of two-million-year-old infant fossils. This challenges previous assumptions about human evolution. Professor José Braga presented findings on Wednesday, analyzing jawbone fossils from extinct human species discovered in Africa. The research suggests the Homo family's origins are more diverse than previously believed, potentially predating the Quaternary period. The study, published in Nature Communications, examined fossils from South Africa and Ethiopia. It indicates the existence of two distinct Homo species, Homo habilis and Homo erectus, at the time, complicating the understanding of human ancestry.