Early lived at high altitudes and produced both Oldowan and Acheulean tools.

Bibliographic Collection: 
APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Mussi, Margherita; Skinner, Matthew M; Melis, Rita T; Panera, Joaquin; Rubio-Jara, Susana; Davies, Thomas W; Geraads, Denis; Bocherens, Hervé; Briatico, Giuseppe; Le Cabec, Adeline; Hublin, Jean-Jacques; Gidna, Agness; Bonnefille, Raymonde; Di Bianco, Luca; Mendez-Quintas, Eduardo
Year of Publication: 2023
Journal: Science
Pagination: eadd9115
Date Published: 2023 Oct 12
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 1095-9203
Abstract:

In Africa, the scarcity of hominin remains found in direct association with stone tools has hindered attempts to link and with particular lithic industries. The infant mandible discovered in level E at Garba IV (Melka Kunture) on the highlands of Ethiopia is critical to this issue due to its direct association with an Oldowan lithic industry. Here, we use synchrotron imaging to examine the internal morphology of the unerupted permanent dentition and confirm its identification as . Additionally, we utilize new palaeomagnetic ages to show that (i) the mandible in level E is ca. 2 million-years-old, and represents one of the earliest fossils, and (ii) that overlying level D, ca. 1.95 million-years-old, contains the earliest known Acheulean assemblage.

DOI: 10.1126/science.add9115
Alternate Journal: Science