@article {331055, title = {Australopithecus at Sterkfontein did not consume substantial mammalian meat}, journal = {Science}, volume = {387}, year = {2025}, month = {2025 Jan 17}, pages = {309-314}, abstract = {

Incorporation of animal-based foods into early hominin diets has been hypothesized to be a major catalyst of many important evolutionary events, including brain expansion. However, direct evidence of the onset and evolution of animal resource consumption in hominins remains elusive. The nitrogen-15 to nitrogen-14 ratio of collagen provides trophic information about individuals in modern and geologically recent ecosystems (\<200,000 years ago), but diagenetic loss of this organic matter precludes studies of greater age. By contrast, nitrogen in tooth enamel is preserved for millions of years. We report enamel-bound organic nitrogen and carbonate carbon isotope measurements of Sterkfontein Member 4 mammalian fauna, including seven Australopithecus specimens. Our results suggest a variable but plant-based diet (largely C3) for these hominins. Therefore, we argue that Australopithecus at Sterkfontein did not engage in regular mammalian meat consumption.

}, keywords = {Animals, Biological Evolution, Carbon Isotopes, Collagen, Dental Enamel, Diet, Fossils, Hominidae, Mammals, Meat, Nitrogen isotopes}, issn = {1095-9203}, doi = {10.1126/science.adq7315}, url = {https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq7315}, author = {L{\"u}decke, Tina and Leichliter, Jennifer N and Stratford, Dominic and Sigman, Daniel M and Vonhof, Hubert and Haug, Gerald H and Bamford, Marion K and Mart{\'\i}nez-Garc{\'\i}a, Alfredo} }