A fossilized foot discovered in northern Ethiopia has sparked fresh curiosity among scientists about early human evolution. This fossil, unearthed in the early 2010s, may belong to a lesser-known hominin species, challenging our understanding of who walked the Earth alongside Australopithecus afarensis, famously known through Lucy.
Recent studies have confirmed that this fossil, known as BRT-VP-2/73, belongs to a species called Australopithecus deyiremeda. This species was identified based on jaw and teeth fossils discovered in Ethiopia in 2015. The foot shows fascinating features: it has a grasping big toe suitable for climbing but also traits indicating it walked upright. This dual ability suggests that different hominin species might have evolved distinct ways to adapt to their environments.
The fossil dates back about 3.47 to 3.33 million years, overlapping with the timeline of A. afarensis. Despite being from the same region, the foot’s structure reveals important differences. New findings show that A. deyiremeda had smaller molars and different jaw features, which set it apart from A. afarensis.
Researchers also conducted studies on the diet of A. deyiremeda. By analyzing stable carbon isotopes from the fossil teeth, they found these early humans primarily consumed C3 plants, such as leaves and fruits, which contrasts with A. afarensis, which leaned more toward C4 plants like grasses. This dietary difference hints at how these two species might have lived in the same area without competing directly for resources.
This new understanding impacts how we view early human evolution. Instead of a straight line leading from one species to another, it’s starting to look more like a branching tree with multiple species coexisting. Some experts suggest that A. afarensis may not be a direct ancestor to modern humans but could be one of several side branches in the evolutionary tree.
The evolving picture of human ancestry raises intriguing questions. For instance, did these hominins use different mobility strategies based on their environment? The mix of climbing and walking traits in A. deyiremeda suggests early humans were experimenting with different ways of moving long before Homo sapiens emerged.
In summary, the Burtele foot and its implications illustrate the complex tapestry of human evolution. As new discoveries emerge and methods improve, they may reshape our understanding of where we come from and how we fit into the history of life on Earth. For more on this topic, you can check out the Nature study that documents these findings in detail.
