Paleoanthropologists have discovered and analyzed a partial hominin skeleton consisting of limb bones that are unmistakably linked to human skull components. Paranthropus boisei, an early hominin species that existed in East Africa between 2.3 and 1.2 million years ago, exhibits characteristics of manipulation and bipedal adaptations similar to those found in the genus homo. Furthermore, the hand morphology of this species shows convergence with gorillas in a way that supports manual food processing, potentially enabling strong gripping abilities akin to those required for climbing trees.
Paranthropus boisei. Image credit: © Roman Yevseyev.
The earliest members of the genus homo were known to have manufactured and utilized stone tools.
However, stone tools dating back 3.3 million years and Oldowan artifacts from 3 million years ago were found at Lomekwi. These discoveries at two locations in Nyayanga, Kenya, have reignited discussions surrounding the potential use of tools by other species.
“When Mary Leakey uncovered the OH 5 skull, Paranthropus boisei was discovered alongside Oldowan stone tools, leading this stone tool to be labeled the ‘oldest stone tool maker yet found,'” stated Dr. Carrie Mongul from Stony Brook University and her team.
“The debate over whether Paranthropus made and used tools has continued since, largely due to the absence of definitive hand bones that can be assigned to this genus.”
In a recent study, the researchers investigated partial human skeletons uncovered between 2019 and 2021 at Koobi Fora, east of Lake Turkana in Kenya.
The specimen, designated KNM-ER 101000, is estimated to be slightly over 1.52 million years old.
The teeth and skull of this specimen align with previous records of Paranthropus boisei fossils.
“KNM-ER 101000 provides the first hand and foot bones definitively linked to human teeth and skull of Paranthropus boisei,” reported the researchers.
Characteristics of KNM-ER 101000’s hands resemble both modern humans and African apes.
For instance, the ratio of thumb to finger length indicates that Paranthropus boisei likely had grip strength and dexterity comparable to that of humans, although they probably did not possess a precise pinch grip.
In contrast, some hand bones bear similarity to those of gorillas, suggesting that Paranthropus boisei may have had a strong grip beneficial for climbing.
“The findings imply that Paranthropus boisei could create and utilize tools to some extent, while also supporting the proposed distinction in dietary adaptations between Paranthropus and homo,” noted the scientists.
“Besides shedding light on less recognized aspects of postcranial functional anatomy in Paranthropus, this discovery highlights broader trends in the evolution of human hands and tool usage.”
The results of this research were published in a new paper in the journal Nature on October 15th. Read the article here.
_____
CS Mongul et al. A new fossil reveals aspects of the human hand in Paranthropus boisei. Nature published online October 15, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09594-8
Source: www.sci.news
