New fossils and artifacts show Homo erectus crafted a diverse toolkit
Hardly one-tool wonders, ancient hominids called Homo erectus relied on a toolkit that included relatively simple and more complex cutting devices, new ...
Paranthropus boisei
A recent study found that another extinct, distant cousin to modern humans called <anchor>Paranthropus boisei</anchor> that lived in East Africa at the same as H. erectus had hands capable of making stone tools ( SN: 3/3/20). But such artifacts have yet to be found with P. boisei fossils.
Hominid species that includes Nutcracker Man may have made tools | Science News
Hominid species that includes Nutcracker Man may have made tools \| Science News

[Skip to content](#content)

**Subscribe today**
Every print subscription comes with full digital access

[Subscribe now](https://www.sciencenews.org/subscribe1?key=9MNAVBNA&utm_source=banner&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=full_digital_access)

Menu

- [All Topics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topics/)   - [Health](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/health-medicine)
  - [Humans](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/humans)
  - [Life](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/life)
  - [Earth](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/earth)
  - [Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/physics)
  - [Space](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/space)

- [Magazine](/sn-magazine)
- Menu
  - [All Stories](https://www.sciencenews.org/all-stories)
  - [Multimedia](/article/tag/multimedia)
  - [Reviews](/article-type/reviews-previews)
  - [Collections](/collections)
  - [Century of Science](https://www.sciencenews.org/century)
  - [For Educators](/snhs)
  - [Coronavirus Outbreak](https://www.sciencenews.org/collections/2019-novel-coronavirus-outbreak)
  - [Newsletters](https://www.sciencenews.org/newsletters)
- [About](https://www.sciencenews.org/about-science-news)
- [For Students](https://www.snexplores.org/)
- [Our Store](https://www.societyforscience.org/store/)

SIGN IN[Donate](https://www.sciencenews.org/give?key=9MDONBUT)

[**Science News**\
INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM SINCE 1921](https://www.sciencenews.org/)[SIGN IN](https://www.sciencenews.org/sign-in)

Search

Open searchClose search

[**Science News**\
INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM SINCE 1921](https://www.sciencenews.org/)

- [All Topics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topics/)  - [Earth](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/earth)    - [Agriculture](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/agriculture)
    - [Climate](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/climate)
    - [Oceans](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/oceans)
    - [Environment](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/environment)
  - [Humans](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/humans)    - [Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)
    - [Health & Medicine](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/health-medicine)
    - [Archaeology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/archaeology)
    - [Psychology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/psychology)
  - [Life](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/life)    - [Animals](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/animals)
    - [Plants](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/plants)
    - [Ecosystems](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/ecosystems)
    - [Paleontology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/paleontology)
    - [Neuroscience](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/neuroscience)
    - [Genetics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/genetics)
    - [Microbes](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/microbes)
  - [Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/physics)    - [Materials Science](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/materials-science)
    - [Quantum Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/quantum-physics)
    - [Particle Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/particle-physics)
  - [Space](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/space)    - [Astronomy](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/astronomy)
    - [Planetary Science](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/planetary-science)
    - [Cosmology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/cosmology)
  - [Tech](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/tech)    - [Computing](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/computing)
    - [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/artificial-intelligence)
  - [Chemistry](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/chemistry)
  - [Math](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/math)
  - [Science & Society](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/science-society)
[All Topics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topics/)
- [Health](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/health-medicine)
- [Humans](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/humans)  - [Humans](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/humans)    - [Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)
    - [Health & Medicine](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/health-medicine)
    - [Archaeology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/archaeology)
    - [Psychology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/psychology)
    - [Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

          ### [Ancient DNA unveils a previously unknown line of Neandertals](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-dna-unveils-unknown-neandertals)




          By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")September 11, 2024

    - [Health & Medicine](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/health-medicine)

      ### [California droughts may help valley fever spread](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/valley-fever-fungus-california-drought)




      By [Erin Garcia de Jesús](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/erin-garcia-de-jesus "Posts by Erin Garcia de Jesús")September 11, 2024

    - [Health & Medicine](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/health-medicine)

      ### [The first face transplant to include an eye shows no rejection a year later](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/eye-transplant-partial-face-transplant)




      By [Aimee Cunningham](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/aimee-cunningham "Posts by Aimee Cunningham")September 9, 2024
- [Life](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/life)  - [Life](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/life)    - [Animals](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/animals)
    - [Plants](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/plants)
    - [Ecosystems](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/ecosystems)
    - [Paleontology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/paleontology)
    - [Neuroscience](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/neuroscience)
    - [Genetics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/genetics)
    - [Microbes](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/microbes)
    - [Life](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/life)

          ### [Mega El Niños kicked off the world’s worst mass extinction](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mega-el-ninos-mass-extinction)




          By [Jake Buehler](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/jake-buehler "Posts by Jake Buehler")20 hours ago

    - [Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

      ### [Ancient DNA unveils a previously unknown line of Neandertals](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-dna-unveils-unknown-neandertals)




      By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")September 11, 2024

    - [Animals](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/animals)

      ### [Bumblebees lose most of their sense of smell after heat waves](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bumblebees-lose-smell-after-heat-waves)




      By [Gennaro Tomma](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/gennaro-tomma "Posts by Gennaro Tomma")September 6, 2024
- [Earth](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/earth)  - [Earth](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/earth)    - [Agriculture](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/agriculture)
    - [Climate](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/climate)
    - [Oceans](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/oceans)
    - [Environment](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/environment)
    - [Planetary Science](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/planetary-science)

          ### [Scientists find a long-sought electric field in Earth’s atmosphere](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/electric-field-in-earths-atmosphere)




          By [Lisa Grossman](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/lisa-grossman "Posts by Lisa Grossman")1 hour ago

    - [Life](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/life)

      ### [Mega El Niños kicked off the world’s worst mass extinction](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mega-el-ninos-mass-extinction)




      By [Jake Buehler](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/jake-buehler "Posts by Jake Buehler")20 hours ago

    - [Environment](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/environment)

      ### [How much is climate change to blame for extreme weather?](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/climate-change-extreme-weather)




      By [Maria Temming](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/maria-temming "Posts by Maria Temming")September 12, 2024
- [Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/physics)  - [Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/physics)    - [Materials Science](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/materials-science)
    - [Quantum Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/quantum-physics)
    - [Particle Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/particle-physics)
    - [Quantum Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/quantum-physics)

          ### [A quantum computer corrected its own errors, improving its calculations](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/quantum-computer-error-correction)




          By [Emily Conover](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/emily-conover "Posts by Emily Conover")September 10, 2024

    - [Health & Medicine](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/health-medicine)

      ### [50 years ago, some of plastic’s toxic hazards were exposed](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/50-years-ago-plastic-hazard)




      By [Erin Garcia de Jesús](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/erin-garcia-de-jesus "Posts by Erin Garcia de Jesús")September 6, 2024

    - [Physics](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/physics)

      ### [A nuclear clock prototype hints at ultraprecise timekeeping](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/nuclear-clock-ultraprecise-timekeeping)




      By [Emily Conover](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/emily-conover "Posts by Emily Conover")September 4, 2024
- [Space](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/space)  - [Space](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/space)    - [Astronomy](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/astronomy)
    - [Planetary Science](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/planetary-science)
    - [Cosmology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/cosmology)
    - [Planetary Science](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/planetary-science)

          ### [Scientists find a long-sought electric field in Earth’s atmosphere](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/electric-field-in-earths-atmosphere)




          By [Lisa Grossman](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/lisa-grossman "Posts by Lisa Grossman")1 hour ago

    - [Cosmology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/cosmology)

      ### [In an epic cosmology clash, rival scientists begin to find common ground](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cosmology-expansion-universe)




      By [Emily Conover](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/emily-conover "Posts by Emily Conover")September 4, 2024

    - [Space](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/space)

      ### [2 spacecraft caught the waves that might heat and accelerate the solar wind](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/waves-heat-accelerate-solar-wind)




      By [Adam Mann](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/adam-mann "Posts by Adam Mann")August 29, 2024

[News](https://www.sciencenews.org/article-type/news)[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

# The ancient hominid species that includes ‘Nutcracker Man’ may have made tools

Newly described fossils are the first hand, arm and shoulder specimens from the same _Paranthropus boisei_ individual

![Paranthropus boisei](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/022720_BB_boisei-arm_feat.jpg?fit=1028%2C579&ssl=1)

The first hand, arm and shoulder fossils found from the same _Paranthropus boisei_ individual were excavated in Kenya. These finds indicate that this ancient hominid combined powerful arms with a hand grip capable of at least simple stone-tool making.

B.G. Richmond _et al_/ _Journal of Human Evolution_ 2020

### Share this:

- [Email](mailto:?subject=The%20ancient%20hominid%20species%20that%20includes%20%E2%80%98Nutcracker%20Man%E2%80%99%20may%20have%20made%20tools&body=I%20saw%20this%20on%20Science%20News%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencenews.org%2Farticle%2Fancient-hominid-species-nutcracker-man-stone-tools%3Futm_source%3Dinternal%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Demail_share "Share via email")
- [Facebook](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-hominid-species-nutcracker-man-stone-tools?share=facebook "Click to share on Facebook")
- [Twitter](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-hominid-species-nutcracker-man-stone-tools?share=twitter "Click to share on Twitter")
- [Pinterest](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-hominid-species-nutcracker-man-stone-tools?share=pinterest "Click to share on Pinterest")
- [Pocket](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-hominid-species-nutcracker-man-stone-tools?share=pocket "Click to share on Pocket")
- [Reddit](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-hominid-species-nutcracker-man-stone-tools?share=reddit "Click to share on Reddit")
- [Print](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-hominid-species-nutcracker-man-stone-tools#print "Click to print")

By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")

March 3, 2020 at 7:00 am

_Paranthropus boisei_,
an African hominid that lived between around 2.3 million and 1.2 million years
ago, may have strong-armed its way into stone-tool making with a deft touch.

That’s the implication of the first hand, arm and shoulder
fossils discovered from the same _P. boisei_
individual, say paleobiologist David Green and colleagues. The fossils suggest
that this extinct species combined powerful arms suited to tree climbing [with\
grasping hands capable of fashioning stone implements](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047248419303586), the researchers
report in the April _Journal of Human_
_Evolution_.

[_P. boisei_](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/how-reconstruct-face-extinct-human-ancestor), a distant cousin to modern
humans, lacked a thick, powerfully gripping thumb characteristic of its hominid
contemporary, _Homo erectus_( _SN: 3/24/15_), a prolific maker of
sophisticated stone tools. But the newly described hand bones suggest that _P. boisei_ gripped well-enough to make
and use simple stone and bone tools, just as [other\
members of the human evolutionary family](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/earliest-known-stone-tools-unearthed-kenya) may have as early as 3.3 million
years ago ( _SN: 5/20/15_). That’s long
before the emergence of the _Homo_ genus,
which appeared around 2.8 million years ago. But reports of tool-making before _Homo_ originated are controversial.

“This is the first evidence that creatures that were almost
certainly not our direct ancestors could have made tools,” says
paleoanthropologist Bernard Wood of George Washington University in Washington,
D.C. “So we can no longer assume — nor should we ever have assumed — that only _Homo_ could make tools,” says Wood, who
was not involved with the new research.

It’s tempting to argue that only _H. erectus_, which had a brain approaching twice the average size of
_P. boisei_’s, could have made
teardrop-shaped, double-edged hand axes that date to around the same time as
the two hominids. Those tools demanded more skill and planning than earlier,
simpler cutting implements. But the case is not closed, says Green, of Campbell
University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Buies Creek, N.C. “We’ll need to
find tools that can be confidently associated with _P. boisei_ and assess its technical abilities before assuming that _H. erectus_ was the superior toolmaker.”

Excavations and surveys from 2004 to 2010 at Kenya’s Ileret
site produced the new _P. boisei_
finds. Fossils were found in sediment that dates to between about 1.53 million
and 1.51 million years old. Previously excavated [1.5-million-year-old\
footprints at Ileret](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-walking-gets-weirder) may have been left by _H. erectus_ or _P. boisei_( _SN: 4/16/12_).

A large male skull discovered in 1959 is the best-known _P. boisei_ fossil. Dubbed Nutcracker Man,
the individual has wide cheekbones that project forward and a bony crest atop
its braincase that once anchored huge chewing muscles. [Nutcracker\
Man may have eaten](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/no-nuts-you-nutcracker-man) mainly grasses and flowering plants called sedges ( _SN: 5/2/11_).

Suggestions that another member of the _Paranthropus_ genus, _P. robustus,_ crafted stone tools, based on isolated [finger bones\
unearthed in South Africa’s Swartkrans cave complex](https://www.sciencenews.org/archive/retooled-ancestors), go back more than 30
years ( _SN: 5/28/88_). [Parts\
of two arm bones and two leg bones](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fossils-reveal-strong-armed-dead-end-hominid) from an adult male _P. boisei_ have turned up since then at Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge ( _SN 12/10/13_). But the Ileret discoveries
offer the first look at bones from throughout a _P. boisei_ individual’s upper limb. As a result, researchers can
more confidently reconstruct what types of arm and hand movements that hominid
could perform.

Stone artifacts are abundant at ancient _Homo_ sites, a sign that our genus relied far more heavily on
toolmaking than _P. boisei_ did, says
biological anthropologist Neil Roach of Harvard University, who wasn’t involved
in the research. No stone artifacts have been clearly linked to _P. boisei_ fossils.

Intriguingly, Roach adds, the Ileret fossils are relatively
large and thick, suggesting that _P._
_boisei_ was more athletic and physically active than typically presumed for
a hominid species that, unlike _H. erectus_,
probably did not eat meat.

Questions or comments on this article? E-mail us at [feedback@sciencenews.org](mailto:feedback@sciencenews.org) \| [Reprints FAQ](https://www.sciencenews.org/permission-republish)

A version of this article appears in the [March 28, 2020](https://www.sciencenews.org/sn-magazine/march-28-2020) issue of Science News.

### Citations

B.G. Richmond _et al_. [The upper limb of _Paranthropus boisei_ from Ileret, Kenya](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047248419303586). _Journal of Human Evolution_. Vol. 141, April 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2019.102727.

[![Bruce Bower](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/b_bower.jpg?resize=214%2C214&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower)

### About [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")

- [E-mail](mailto:bbower@sciencenews.org)
- [X](https://x.com/Bruce_Bower)

Bruce Bower has written about the behavioral sciences for _Science News_ since 1984. He writes about psychology, anthropology, archaeology and mental health issues.

We are at a critical time and **supporting science journalism**
**is more important than ever**. _Science News_ and our
parent organization, the Society for Science, need your help to strengthen
scientific literacy and ensure that important societal decisions are made
with science in mind.

Please
[subscribe to _Science News_ and **add $16**](https://www.sciencenews.org/subscribe1-print-digital?key=9MENDCON&utm_source=end-of-article&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=non-sub-control) to expand
science literacy and understanding.

### Related Stories

1. [![A photo of a hominid leg fossil on a black background with a magnified view of it on the right shows a variety of scratches and gouges.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/062323_BB_AncientHominidLegBone_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fossil-hominids-stone-age-cannibalism)
[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

### [Fossil marks suggest hominids butchered one another around 1.45 million years ago](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fossil-hominids-stone-age-cannibalism)




By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")June 26, 2023

2. [![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/030320_bb_homo-erectus_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/homo-erectus-fossils-artifacts-stone-age-tools)
[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

### [New fossils and artifacts show _Homo erectus_ crafted a diverse toolkit](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/homo-erectus-fossils-artifacts-stone-age-tools)




By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")March 4, 2020

3. [![skulls and other fossils in drawers](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/092521_humanevol_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/human-evolution-species-origin-fossils-ancient-dna)
[Humans](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/humans)

### [Fossils and ancient DNA paint a vibrant picture of human origins](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/human-evolution-species-origin-fossils-ancient-dna)




By [Erin Wayman](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/erin-wayman "Posts by Erin Wayman")September 15, 2021


### More Stories from Science News on [Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

1. [![A row of fossilized teeth partly sticking out of dirt and rocks](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/091024_bb_neanderthal_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-dna-unveils-unknown-neandertals)
[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

### [Ancient DNA unveils a previously unknown line of Neandertals](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-dna-unveils-unknown-neandertals)




By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")September 11, 2024

2. [![A mummy with her mouth wide open](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/080124_bb_screaming-mummy_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/egyptian-mummy-scream-fixed-death)
[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

### [An Egyptian mummy’s silent ‘scream’ might have been fixed at death](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/egyptian-mummy-scream-fixed-death)




By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")August 2, 2024

3. [![A series of stone statues on a dark backdrop depicting an ancient Egyptian scribe.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/062724_ts_egyptian-scribes_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-egyptian-scribe-work-skeleton)
[Archaeology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/archaeology)

### [Ancient Egyptian scribes’ work left its mark on their skeletons](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-egyptian-scribe-work-skeleton)




By [Tina Hesman Saey](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/tina-hesman-saey "Posts by Tina Hesman Saey")June 27, 2024

4. [![image of ancient Maya site of Chichén Itzá](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/061124_bb_chichen_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/child-sacrifices-maya-site-boys-twins)
[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

### [Child sacrifices at famed Maya site were all boys, many closely related](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/child-sacrifices-maya-site-boys-twins)




By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")June 12, 2024

5. [![The image shows three fossils at scale. On the left, on a black background, is a kneecap. On the right, on a white background, are two teeth. They fossils belong to a newfound ancient ape species, a new study contends.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/060725_bb_buronius_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fossil-europe-hotbed-great-ape-evolution)
[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

### [Fossil finds amplify Europe’s status as a hotbed of great ape evolution](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fossil-europe-hotbed-great-ape-evolution)




By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")June 7, 2024

6. [![Illustration of Sahelanthropus tchadensis walking upright on the ground and climbing in trees](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/021024_50YA_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/human-ancestor-fossil-upright-walk-50-years-ago)
[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

### [50 years ago, evidence showed that an extinct human ancestor walked upright](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/human-ancestor-fossil-upright-walk-50-years-ago)




By [Maria Temming](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/maria-temming "Posts by Maria Temming")February 13, 2024

7. [![A fossilized jawbone fragment with six teeth](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/122123_eg_primate-sweet-tooth_feat.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-primate-fossil-teeth-fruit-diet)
[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

### [Ancient primates’ unchipped teeth hint that they ate mostly fruit](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-primate-fossil-teeth-fruit-diet)




By [Erin Garcia de Jesús](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/erin-garcia-de-jesus "Posts by Erin Garcia de Jesús")January 5, 2024

8. [![horse bones](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/120823_bb_early-horse-use_feat-1.jpg?fit=330%2C186&ssl=1)](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/spanish-horses-indigenous-south-american-societies-european-settlers)
[Anthropology](https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/anthropology)

### [Spanish horses joined Indigenous South Americans’ societies long before Europeans came to stay](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/spanish-horses-indigenous-south-american-societies-european-settlers)




By [Bruce Bower](https://www.sciencenews.org/author/bruce-bower "Posts by Bruce Bower")December 8, 2023


[**Science News**](https://www.sciencenews.org/)

Science News was founded in 1921 as an independent, nonprofit source of accurate information on the latest news of science, medicine and technology. Today, our mission remains the same: to empower people to evaluate the news and the world around them. It is published by the Society for Science, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education (EIN 53-0196483).

- [Science News Explores](https://www.snexplores.org)
- [Science News Learning](https://www.sciencenews.org/learning/)

### Subscriber Services

- [Subscribe](/subscribe1?key=9MFSUB&utm_source=sciencenews&utm_medium=footer&utm_campaign=sn-footer&tfa_3134=sn-footer)
- [Renew](https://sfsdata.com/SubscriberServices/AccountStart.html?PUB=SCN)
- [Give a Gift Subscription](https://www.sciencenews.org/give-a-gift?key=9MFGIFT&utm_source=link&utm_medium=footer&utm_campaign=gift)
- [Customer Service](https://sfsdata.com/SubscriberServices/AccountStart.html?PUB=SCN)

- [Follow Science News on Facebook](https://facebook.com/sciencenews)
- [Follow Science News on X](https://twitter.com/sciencenews)
- [Follow Science News via RSS](https://www.sciencenews.org/feed/)
- [Follow Science News on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/sciencenewsmagazine/)
- [Follow Science News on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBX5er6E37_yWB3gCM32p3g)
- [Follow Science News on TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@sciencenewsofficial)

### More Information

- [FAQ](https://www.sciencenews.org/about-science-news/frequently-asked-questions)
- [Newsletters](https://www.sciencenews.org/newsletters)
- [Rights & Permissions](https://www.sciencenews.org/permission-republish)
- [Advertise](https://www.sciencenews.org/advertise-science-news)
- [Contact](https://www.sciencenews.org/about-science-news/contact-us)

### Society for Science

- [About the Society](https://www.societyforscience.org/)
- [Society Store](https://www.societyforscience.org/store/)
- [Donate](https://www.sciencenews.org/give)
- [Careers](https://www.societyforscience.org/jobs-and-internships)

© Society for Science & the Public 2000–2024. All rights reserved.

1719 N Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 [202.785.2255](tel:202.785.2255)[Terms of Service](https://www.sciencenews.org/terms-of-service) [Privacy Policy](https://www.sciencenews.org/privacy-policy)

Privacy Manager

Close

## Log in

Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the _Science News_ archives and digital editions.

Not a subscriber?

[Become one now](https://www.sciencenews.org/subscription?utm_source=sciencenews&utm_medium=login&utm_campaign=sn-login&tfa_3134=sn-login).

Client key\*E-mail Address\*Log In