Early humans adapted to major environmental change in ‘Cradle of Mankind’ 2 million years ago

Ashley Strickland
By Ashley Strickland, CNN
Published 6:33 AM EST, Fri January 8, 2021
This illustration shows the primitive arthropod Titanokorys gainesi from the front. This creature lived along the ocean floor half a billion years ago.
This illustration shows the primitive arthropod Titanokorys gainesi from the front. This creature lived along the ocean floor half a billion years ago.
Lars Fields/© Royal Ontario Museum
This is an artist's illustration of Tupandactylus navigans, a pterosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period 115 million years ago in what is now northeastern Brazil.
This is an artist's illustration of Tupandactylus navigans, a pterosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period 115 million years ago in what is now northeastern Brazil.
Courtesy Victor Beccari
Fossils helped researchers discover that early mammals may have been more diverse than previously thought. The newly discovered species include (left to right) Conacodon hettingeri, Miniconus jeanninae and Beornus honeyi.
Fossils helped researchers discover that early mammals may have been more diverse than previously thought. The newly discovered species include (left to right) Conacodon hettingeri, Miniconus jeanninae and Beornus honeyi.
Banana Art Studio
The cremated remains of a young woman (left) and her twin babies (right) were recovered from a 4,000-year-old grave in Hungary.
The cremated remains of a young woman (left) and her twin babies (right) were recovered from a 4,000-year-old grave in Hungary.
Cavazzuti et al, 2021/Eureka
This virtual reconstruction shows the position of a fossil in a burial pit. The toddler was laid to rest 78,000 years ago on a pillow in a cave in eastern Kenya. This is thought to be the oldest human burial ever found in Africa.
This virtual reconstruction shows the position of a fossil in a burial pit. The toddler was laid to rest 78,000 years ago on a pillow in a cave in eastern Kenya. This is thought to be the oldest human burial ever found in Africa.
Jorge Gonzalez/Elena Santos
This is a skeletal mount of Homotherium serum from Friesenhahn Cave, on display in the Texas Memorial Museum in Austin.
This is a skeletal mount of Homotherium serum from Friesenhahn Cave, on display in the Texas Memorial Museum in Austin.
Kenneth Bader
This is the second lower molar of a modern human found in Bacho Kiro Cave in Bulgaria that was associated with tools from Initial Upper Palaeolithic about 45,000 years ago.
This is the second lower molar of a modern human found in Bacho Kiro Cave in Bulgaria that was associated with tools from Initial Upper Palaeolithic about 45,000 years ago.
Rosen Spasov, MPI-EVA Leipzig
This photo captures the Ewass Oldupa archeological site in the Oldupai Gorge, Tanzania. Stone tools that date back 2 million years ago were recently uncovered at the site.
This photo captures the Ewass Oldupa archeological site in the Oldupai Gorge, Tanzania. Stone tools that date back 2 million years ago were recently uncovered at the site.
Michael Petraglia
This image shows the Cook House (right) and the Earthwatch roundhouse reconstructions (left) prior to their dismantling and excavation at the Castell Henllys Iron Age site in Wales.
This image shows the Cook House (right) and the Earthwatch roundhouse reconstructions (left) prior to their dismantling and excavation at the Castell Henllys Iron Age site in Wales.
Harold Mytum
This is an artist's illustration of Adalatherium hui, an early mammal that lived on Madagascar 66 million years ago.
This is an artist's illustration of Adalatherium hui, an early mammal that lived on Madagascar 66 million years ago.
Andrey Atuchin
This artist's illustration shows Triceratops and juvenile tyrannosaurs facing off near the end of the Cretaceous Period 67 million years ago.
This artist's illustration shows Triceratops and juvenile tyrannosaurs facing off near the end of the Cretaceous Period 67 million years ago.
Matt Zeher/North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
This mastodon fossil is on display at the American Museum of Natural History. A new study using mastodon DNA has suggested the animals migrated many times across North America during fluctuations in climate and environment.
This mastodon fossil is on display at the American Museum of Natural History. A new study using mastodon DNA has suggested the animals migrated many times across North America during fluctuations in climate and environment.
American Museum of Natural History
A titanosaurian sauropod hatchling was found inside a dinosaur egg from 80 million years ago and its embryonic skull was still preserved.
A titanosaurian sauropod hatchling was found inside a dinosaur egg from 80 million years ago and its embryonic skull was still preserved.
Martin Kundrat/Pavol Jozef Šafárik University
This artist's illustration shows a young Purussaurus attacking a ground sloth in Amazonia 13 million years ago.
This artist's illustration shows a young Purussaurus attacking a ground sloth in Amazonia 13 million years ago.
Jorge A. González
This bundle of bones is the torso of another marine reptile inside the stomach of a fossilized ichthyosaur from 240 million years ago.
This bundle of bones is the torso of another marine reptile inside the stomach of a fossilized ichthyosaur from 240 million years ago.
Jiang et al.
Researchers uncovered the fossilized fragments of 200,000-year-old grass bedding in South Africa's Border Cave.
Researchers uncovered the fossilized fragments of 200,000-year-old grass bedding in South Africa's Border Cave.
Lyn Wadley/Wits University
Meet Sasha, the preserved and reconstructed remains of a baby woolly rhinoceros named that was discovered in Siberia.
Meet Sasha, the preserved and reconstructed remains of a baby woolly rhinoceros named that was discovered in Siberia.
Albert Protopopov
Stone tools made from limestone have helped researchers to suggest that humans arrived in North America as early as 30,000 years ago.
Stone tools made from limestone have helped researchers to suggest that humans arrived in North America as early as 30,000 years ago.
Ciprian Ardelean
This image shows both sides of the 1.4 million-year-old bone handaxe made from the femur of a hippopotamus. It was most likely crafted by ancient human ancestors like Homo erectus.
This image shows both sides of the 1.4 million-year-old bone handaxe made from the femur of a hippopotamus. It was most likely crafted by ancient human ancestors like Homo erectus.
Berhane Asfaw
This illustration shows Kongonaphon kely, a newly described reptile that was an early ancestor of dinosaurs and pterosaurs. The fossil was found in Madagascar. It lived about 237 million years ago.
This illustration shows Kongonaphon kely, a newly described reptile that was an early ancestor of dinosaurs and pterosaurs. The fossil was found in Madagascar. It lived about 237 million years ago.
Courtesy Alex Boersma
The Okavango Delta in Botswana showcases a patchy landscape where the ability to plan results in a huge survival payoff.
The Okavango Delta in Botswana showcases a patchy landscape where the ability to plan results in a huge survival payoff.
Tim Copeland
This is a clutch of fossilized Protoceratops eggs and embryos, discovered in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. They provide evidence that dinosaurs laid soft-shell eggs.
This is a clutch of fossilized Protoceratops eggs and embryos, discovered in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. They provide evidence that dinosaurs laid soft-shell eggs.
M. Ellison/AMNH
These tools, made from the bones and teeth of monkeys and smaller mammals, were recovered from Fa-Hien Lena cave in Sri Lanka. The sharp tips served as arrow points.
These tools, made from the bones and teeth of monkeys and smaller mammals, were recovered from Fa-Hien Lena cave in Sri Lanka. The sharp tips served as arrow points.
M.C. Langley
This labeled map shows the complete ancient Roman city of Falerii Novi as it currently exists underground.
This labeled map shows the complete ancient Roman city of Falerii Novi as it currently exists underground.
L. Verdonck
Fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls found in the 1950s are seen here.
Fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls found in the 1950s are seen here.
Najib Albina/Courtesy Israel Antiquities Authority
This is one of the 408 human footprints preserved at the Engare Sero site in Tanzania. The fossilized footprints reveal a group of 17 people that traveled together, likely including 14 women, two men and one juvenile male.
This is one of the 408 human footprints preserved at the Engare Sero site in Tanzania. The fossilized footprints reveal a group of 17 people that traveled together, likely including 14 women, two men and one juvenile male.
William Harcourt-Smith
Blade-like stone tools and beads found in Bulgaria's Bacho Kiro cave provide the earliest evidence for modern humans in Europe 47,000 years ago.
Blade-like stone tools and beads found in Bulgaria's Bacho Kiro cave provide the earliest evidence for modern humans in Europe 47,000 years ago.
Tsenka Tsanova
This artist's illustration shows what an early, small ichthyosaur that lived 248 million years ago may have looked like. It resembled a cross between a tadpole and a seal, grew to be one foot long and had pebble-like teeth that it likely used to eat invertebrates like snails and bivalves.
This artist's illustration shows what an early, small ichthyosaur that lived 248 million years ago may have looked like. It resembled a cross between a tadpole and a seal, grew to be one foot long and had pebble-like teeth that it likely used to eat invertebrates like snails and bivalves.
Stefano Broccoli
This is an artist's illustration showing a cross-section of Earth's forming crust approximately 3 to 4 billion years ago.
This is an artist's illustration showing a cross-section of Earth's forming crust approximately 3 to 4 billion years ago.
Alec Brenner/Harvard University
Illuminated medieval manuscripts are full of intricate decorations, illustrations and colors, including "endangered colors" that can no longer be recreated today.
Illuminated medieval manuscripts are full of intricate decorations, illustrations and colors, including "endangered colors" that can no longer be recreated today.
Duarte Belo
These monkeys can be found in ancient Grecian frescoes. And the details are so accurate that researchers were able to identify them as vervet monkeys and baboons.
These monkeys can be found in ancient Grecian frescoes. And the details are so accurate that researchers were able to identify them as vervet monkeys and baboons.
Bernardo Urbani/Antiquity Journal
Archeologists have found the oldest string of yarn at a prehistoric site in southern France. This photograph, taken by digital microscopy, shows that of the cord fragment, which is approximately 6.2 mm long and 0.5 mm wide.
Archeologists have found the oldest string of yarn at a prehistoric site in southern France. This photograph, taken by digital microscopy, shows that of the cord fragment, which is approximately 6.2 mm long and 0.5 mm wide.
C2RMF
This illustration shows Elessaurus gondwanoccidens, a long-legged reptile that lived in South America during the Early Triassic Period. It's a cousin to other mysterious early reptiles that arose after the Permian mass extinction event 250 million years ago.
This illustration shows Elessaurus gondwanoccidens, a long-legged reptile that lived in South America during the Early Triassic Period. It's a cousin to other mysterious early reptiles that arose after the Permian mass extinction event 250 million years ago.
Márcio L. Castro
The skeletal remains of Homo antecessor are on display in this image. A recent study suggests antecessor is a sister lineage to Homo erectus, a common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans.
The skeletal remains of Homo antecessor are on display in this image. A recent study suggests antecessor is a sister lineage to Homo erectus, a common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans.
Prof. José María Bermúdez de Castro
A nearly two-million-year-old Homo erectus skullcap was found in South Africa. This is the first fossil of erectus to be found in southern Africa, which places it in the area at the same time as other ancient human ancestors.
A nearly two-million-year-old Homo erectus skullcap was found in South Africa. This is the first fossil of erectus to be found in southern Africa, which places it in the area at the same time as other ancient human ancestors.
Therese van Wyk/University of Johannesburg
This painting shows what Antarctica may have looked like 90 million years ago. It had a temperate swampy rainforest.
This painting shows what Antarctica may have looked like 90 million years ago. It had a temperate swampy rainforest.
Alfred-Wegener-Institut/James McKay
This artist's illustration of Dineobellator notohesperus shows them in an open landscape, across what is now New Mexico, along with Ojoceratops and Alamosaurus in the background.
This artist's illustration of Dineobellator notohesperus shows them in an open landscape, across what is now New Mexico, along with Ojoceratops and Alamosaurus in the background.
Courtesy Sergey Krasovskiy
Ikaria wariootia was a worm-like creature that lived 555 million years ago. It represents the oldest ancestor on the family tree for most animals.
Ikaria wariootia was a worm-like creature that lived 555 million years ago. It represents the oldest ancestor on the family tree for most animals.
Sohail Wasif/University of California-Riverside
This is the 3.67-million-year-old 'Little Foot' skull. The view from the bottom (right) shows the original position of the first cervical vertebra, which tells us about her head movements and blood flow to the brain.
This is the 3.67-million-year-old 'Little Foot' skull. The view from the bottom (right) shows the original position of the first cervical vertebra, which tells us about her head movements and blood flow to the brain.
courtesy R.J. Clarke
This is an artist's illustration of the world's oldest modern bird, Asteriornis maastrichtensis, in its original environment. Parts of Belgium were covered by a shallow sea, and conditions were similar to modern tropical beaches like The Bahamas 66.7 million years ago.
This is an artist's illustration of the world's oldest modern bird, Asteriornis maastrichtensis, in its original environment. Parts of Belgium were covered by a shallow sea, and conditions were similar to modern tropical beaches like The Bahamas 66.7 million years ago.
Phillip Krzeminski
This donkey skull was recovered in a Tang Dynasty noblewoman's tomb. The researchers determined that she played donkey polo and was buried with her donkeys so that she may continue her favorite sport in the afterlife.
This donkey skull was recovered in a Tang Dynasty noblewoman's tomb. The researchers determined that she played donkey polo and was buried with her donkeys so that she may continue her favorite sport in the afterlife.
T. Wang, Junkai Yang and Songmei Hu
Hundreds of mammoth bones found at a site in Russia were once used by hunter-gatherers to build a massive structure 25,000 years ago.
Hundreds of mammoth bones found at a site in Russia were once used by hunter-gatherers to build a massive structure 25,000 years ago.
Alex Pryor
A fossil of an ancient rudist clam called Torreites sanchezi revealed that Earth's days lasted 23.5 hours 70 million years ago.
A fossil of an ancient rudist clam called Torreites sanchezi revealed that Earth's days lasted 23.5 hours 70 million years ago.
Wilson44691/Wikipedia
This is an artist's impression of dinosaurs on prehistoric mudflat in Scotland, based on varied dinosaur footprints recovered on the Isle of Skye.
This is an artist's impression of dinosaurs on prehistoric mudflat in Scotland, based on varied dinosaur footprints recovered on the Isle of Skye.
Jon Hoad
A new study suggests that ostrich eggshell beads have been used to cement relationships in Africa for more than 30,000 years.
A new study suggests that ostrich eggshell beads have been used to cement relationships in Africa for more than 30,000 years.
John Klausmeyer/Yuchao Zhao/Brian Stewart
This rock lined the seafloor roughly 3.2 billion years ago, providing evidence that Earth may have been a 'waterworld' in its ancient past.
This rock lined the seafloor roughly 3.2 billion years ago, providing evidence that Earth may have been a 'waterworld' in its ancient past.
Benjamin Johnson
These stone tools were found at the Dhaba site in India, showing that Homo sapiens survived a massive volcanic eruption 74,000 years ago.
These stone tools were found at the Dhaba site in India, showing that Homo sapiens survived a massive volcanic eruption 74,000 years ago.
Chris Clarkson
The remains of 48 people who were buried in a 14th century Black Death mass grave were found in England's Lincolnshire countryside.
The remains of 48 people who were buried in a 14th century Black Death mass grave were found in England's Lincolnshire countryside.
Antiquity Publications Ltd
The articulated remains of a Neanderthal have been found in Shanidar Cave, representing the first discovery of its kind in 20 years.
The articulated remains of a Neanderthal have been found in Shanidar Cave, representing the first discovery of its kind in 20 years.
Graeme Barker/Cambridge University
A rare disease that still affects humans today has been found in the fossilized vertabra of a duck-billed dinosaur that roamed the Earth at least 66 million years ago.
A rare disease that still affects humans today has been found in the fossilized vertabra of a duck-billed dinosaur that roamed the Earth at least 66 million years ago.
Assaf Ehrenreic
Venezuelan Palaeontologist Rodolfo Sánchez is shown next to a male carapace of the giant turtle Stupendemys geographicus, for scale.
Venezuelan Palaeontologist Rodolfo Sánchez is shown next to a male carapace of the giant turtle Stupendemys geographicus, for scale.
Edwin Cadena
This artist's illustration shows the newly discovered Tyrannosaurus rex relative, Thanatotheristes degrootorum.
This artist's illustration shows the newly discovered Tyrannosaurus rex relative, Thanatotheristes degrootorum.
Julius Csotonyi
The newly discovered species Allosaurus jimmadseni represents the earliest Allosaurus known. It was a fearsome predator that lived during the Late Jurassic Period millions of years before Tyrannosaurus rex.
The newly discovered species Allosaurus jimmadseni represents the earliest Allosaurus known. It was a fearsome predator that lived during the Late Jurassic Period millions of years before Tyrannosaurus rex.
Andrey Atuchin
Remains found in ancient Herculaneum boat houses revealed that people trying to flee the eruption of Mount Vesuvius slowly suffocated as volcanic clouds overtook the town.
Remains found in ancient Herculaneum boat houses revealed that people trying to flee the eruption of Mount Vesuvius slowly suffocated as volcanic clouds overtook the town.
Antiquity Publications Ltd
The Wulong bohaiensis fossil found in China's Jehol Province shows some early, intriguing aspects that relate to both birds and dinosaurs.
The Wulong bohaiensis fossil found in China's Jehol Province shows some early, intriguing aspects that relate to both birds and dinosaurs.
Ashley Poust
Shell tools were recovered from an Italian cave that show Neanderthals combed beaches and dove in the ocean to retrieve a specific type of clam shell to use as tools.
Shell tools were recovered from an Italian cave that show Neanderthals combed beaches and dove in the ocean to retrieve a specific type of clam shell to use as tools.
Villa et al., 2020
A closer look at the Heslington brain, which is considered to be Britain's oldest brain and belonged to a man who lived 2,600 years ago. Amazingly, the soft tissue was not artificially preserved.
A closer look at the Heslington brain, which is considered to be Britain's oldest brain and belonged to a man who lived 2,600 years ago. Amazingly, the soft tissue was not artificially preserved.
Courtesy Dr. Axel Petzold/University College London
Researchers from Russia's RAS Institute of Archeology excavated the burial sites of four women, who were buried with battle equipment in southwestern Russia and believed to be Amazon warrior women. The oldest woman found in the graves bore a unique, rare ceremonial headdress.
Researchers from Russia's RAS Institute of Archeology excavated the burial sites of four women, who were buried with battle equipment in southwestern Russia and believed to be Amazon warrior women. The oldest woman found in the graves bore a unique, rare ceremonial headdress.
Institute of Archaeology RAS
Teen Tyrannosaurus rex were fleet-footed with knife-like teeth, serving as mid-sized carnivores before they grew into giant bone-crushing adults.
Teen Tyrannosaurus rex were fleet-footed with knife-like teeth, serving as mid-sized carnivores before they grew into giant bone-crushing adults.
Julius T. Csotonyi
A Homo erectus skull cap discovered in Central Java, Indonesia reveals how long they lived and when the first human species to walk upright died out.
A Homo erectus skull cap discovered in Central Java, Indonesia reveals how long they lived and when the first human species to walk upright died out.
Rizal et al
This is an artistic reconstruction of Lola, a young girl who lived 5,700 years ago.
This is an artistic reconstruction of Lola, a young girl who lived 5,700 years ago.
Tom Björklund
Part of the scene depicted in the world's oldest cave art, which shows half-animal, half-human hybrids hunting pigs and buffalo.
Part of the scene depicted in the world's oldest cave art, which shows half-animal, half-human hybrids hunting pigs and buffalo.
Endra
An ancient Egyptian head cone was first found with the remains of a young woman buried in one of Amarna's graves.
An ancient Egyptian head cone was first found with the remains of a young woman buried in one of Amarna's graves.
courtesy Amarna Project
A lice-like insect was trapped in amber crawling and munching on a dinosaur feather.
A lice-like insect was trapped in amber crawling and munching on a dinosaur feather.
Taiping Ga
Newly discovered penguin species Kupoupou stilwelli lived after the dinosaurs went extinct and acts as a missing link between giant extinct penguins and the modern penguins in Antarctica today.
Newly discovered penguin species Kupoupou stilwelli lived after the dinosaurs went extinct and acts as a missing link between giant extinct penguins and the modern penguins in Antarctica today.
Jacob Blokland, Flinders University
This illustration compares the jaws and teeth of two predatory dinosaurs, Allosaurus (left) and Majungasaurus (right).
This illustration compares the jaws and teeth of two predatory dinosaurs, Allosaurus (left) and Majungasaurus (right).
Sae Bom Ra/Adelphi University
This is an artist's illustration of Najash rionegrina in the dunes of the Kokorkom desert that extended across Northern Patagonia during the Late Cretaceous period. The snake is coiled around with its hindlimbs on top of the remains of a jaw bone from a small charcharodontosaurid dinosaur.
This is an artist's illustration of Najash rionegrina in the dunes of the Kokorkom desert that extended across Northern Patagonia during the Late Cretaceous period. The snake is coiled around with its hindlimbs on top of the remains of a jaw bone from a small charcharodontosaurid dinosaur.
Courtesy Ral Orencio Gomez
University of South Carolina archaelogist Christopher Moore (second from right) and colleagues collect core samples from White Pond near Elgin, South Carolina, to look for evidence of an impact from an asteroid or comet that may have caused the extinction of large ice-age animals such as sabre-tooth cats and giant sloths and mastodons.
University of South Carolina archaelogist Christopher Moore (second from right) and colleagues collect core samples from White Pond near Elgin, South Carolina, to look for evidence of an impact from an asteroid or comet that may have caused the extinction of large ice-age animals such as sabre-tooth cats and giant sloths and mastodons.
University of South Carolina
Core samples from White Pond near Elgin, South Carolina, show evidence of platinum spikes and soot indicative of an impact from an asteroid or comet.
Core samples from White Pond near Elgin, South Carolina, show evidence of platinum spikes and soot indicative of an impact from an asteroid or comet.
University of South Carolina
The Sosnogorsk lagoon as it likely appeared 372 million years ago just before a deadly storm, according to an artist's rendering. The newly discovered tetrapod can be seen in the left side of the image below the surface.
The Sosnogorsk lagoon as it likely appeared 372 million years ago just before a deadly storm, according to an artist's rendering. The newly discovered tetrapod can be seen in the left side of the image below the surface.
Mikhail Shekhanov for the Ukhta Local Museum
Bronze goods recovered from a river in northern Germany indicate an ancient toolkit of a Bronze Age warrior.
Bronze goods recovered from a river in northern Germany indicate an ancient toolkit of a Bronze Age warrior.
Volker Minkus
Mold pigs are a newly discovered family, genus and species of microinvertebrates that lived 30 million years ago.
Mold pigs are a newly discovered family, genus and species of microinvertebrates that lived 30 million years ago.
Courtesy George Poinar Jr.
Ferrodraco lentoni was a pterosaur, or "flying lizard," that lived among dinosaurs 96 million years ago. The fossil was found in Australia.
Ferrodraco lentoni was a pterosaur, or "flying lizard," that lived among dinosaurs 96 million years ago. The fossil was found in Australia.
Scientific Reports
These Late Bronze Age feeding vessels were likely used for infants drinking animal milk.
These Late Bronze Age feeding vessels were likely used for infants drinking animal milk.
courtesy Katharina Rebay-Salisbury/Nature
This is the first depiction of what mysterious ancient humans called Denisovans, a sister group to Neanderthals, looked like. This image shows a young female Denisovan, reconstructed based on DNA methylation maps. The art was created by Maayan Harel.
This is the first depiction of what mysterious ancient humans called Denisovans, a sister group to Neanderthals, looked like. This image shows a young female Denisovan, reconstructed based on DNA methylation maps. The art was created by Maayan Harel.
courtesy Maayan Harel
Researchers found a fossil of one of the oldest bird species in New Zealand. While its descendants were giant seafaring birds, this smaller ancestor likely flew over shorter ranges.
Researchers found a fossil of one of the oldest bird species in New Zealand. While its descendants were giant seafaring birds, this smaller ancestor likely flew over shorter ranges.
Canterbury Museum
A painting shows the new species of giant salamander called Andrias sligoi, the largest amphibian in the world.
A painting shows the new species of giant salamander called Andrias sligoi, the largest amphibian in the world.
ZSL
After her discovery in 2013, Victoria's 66-million-year-old, fossilized skeleton was restored bone by bone. She's the second most complete T. rex fossil on record.
After her discovery in 2013, Victoria's 66-million-year-old, fossilized skeleton was restored bone by bone. She's the second most complete T. rex fossil on record.
Courtesy IMG
An artist's illustration shows how different an ancient "short-faced" kangaroo called Simosthenurus occidentalis looked, as opposed to modern kangaroos. Its skull more closely resembles a koala.
An artist's illustration shows how different an ancient "short-faced" kangaroo called Simosthenurus occidentalis looked, as opposed to modern kangaroos. Its skull more closely resembles a koala.
Nobu Tamura
An artist's illustration of Cryodrakon boreas, one of the largest flying animals that ever lived during the Cretaceous period. Although researchers don't know the color of Cryodrakon's plumage, the colors shown here honor Canada, where the fossil was found.
An artist's illustration of Cryodrakon boreas, one of the largest flying animals that ever lived during the Cretaceous period. Although researchers don't know the color of Cryodrakon's plumage, the colors shown here honor Canada, where the fossil was found.
David Maas
A graphic thermal image of a T. rex with its dorsotemporal fenestra glowing on the skull.
A graphic thermal image of a T. rex with its dorsotemporal fenestra glowing on the skull.
Brian Engh
A complete skull belong to an early human ancestor has been recovered in Ethiopia. A composite of the 3.8 million-year-old cranium of Australopithecus anamensis is seen here alongside a facial reconstruction.
A complete skull belong to an early human ancestor has been recovered in Ethiopia. A composite of the 3.8 million-year-old cranium of Australopithecus anamensis is seen here alongside a facial reconstruction.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The remains inside grave IIIN199, found under Prague Castle in 1928, belong to a man from the 10th century. His identity has been the subject of great debate for years.
The remains inside grave IIIN199, found under Prague Castle in 1928, belong to a man from the 10th century. His identity has been the subject of great debate for years.
Institute of Archaeology of the CAS/Prague Castle Excavations
Vertebrae fossils of a previously undiscovered type of stegosaurus were found in Morocco. Researchers say they represent the oldest stegosaurus found.
Vertebrae fossils of a previously undiscovered type of stegosaurus were found in Morocco. Researchers say they represent the oldest stegosaurus found.
courtesy Natural History Museum
The La Chapelle-aux-Saints Neanderthal skull shows signs of external auditory exostoses, known as "surfer's ear" growths, in the left canal.
The La Chapelle-aux-Saints Neanderthal skull shows signs of external auditory exostoses, known as "surfer's ear" growths, in the left canal.
Erik Trinkaus/Washington University
The Fincha Habera rock shelter in the Ethiopian Bale Mountains served as a residence for prehistoric hunter-gatherers.
The Fincha Habera rock shelter in the Ethiopian Bale Mountains served as a residence for prehistoric hunter-gatherers.
Götz Ossendorf
The world's largest parrot, Heracles inexpectatus, lived 19 million years ago in New Zealand. It was over 3 feet tall and weighed more than 15 pounds.
The world's largest parrot, Heracles inexpectatus, lived 19 million years ago in New Zealand. It was over 3 feet tall and weighed more than 15 pounds.
Dr Brian Choo/Flinders University
Ancient finds
CNN  — 

As humans, we may owe our ability to adapt to new situations and environments to our earliest ancestors.

New evidence unearthed at the Oldupai Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Tanzania known as the “Cradle of Mankind,” has revealed that “environmental adaptability and pioneering behavior were in place two million years ago” in early humans, said lead study author Julio Mercader, a professor at the University of Calgary in Canada, via an email.

The new research published Thursday in the journal Nature Communications.

Stone tool found below the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) layer, within Stratigraphic Component C.
Stone tool found below the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) layer, within Stratigraphic Component C.
Ciprian Ardelean

Humans may have arrived in North America much earlier than believed, new research says

Researchers working in the field at the gorge discovered the oldest archaeological site yet, dating back 2 million years. It’s known as Ewass Oldupa, which means “on the way to the gorge” in the local Maa language, because it covers a path that links the rim of the canyon to the canyon floor.

At the site, researchers uncovered the oldest stone tools found in the gorge, also dated to 2 million years ago. Although the scientists have not yet recovered fossils belonging to any early humans at the site, they found tools that place early humans at the site over a 200,000-year period from 1.8 million to 2 million years ago.

Field photograph of Border Cave 200, 000 year old fossilised grass fragments.
Field photograph of Border Cave 200, 000 year old fossilised grass fragments.
Lyn Wadley/Wits University

Early humans knew how to make comfy, pest-free beds, study says

In addition to the tools, researchers also found the fossils of animals – including pigs, wild cattle, panthers, hippos, lions, hyena, primates, reptiles and birds – that shed light on how the environment in the area changed over the 200,000-year period.

The area hosted diverse habitats over that period, including rivers and lakes, fern meadows, woodlands, dry grasslands, lakeside palm groves and the naturally burnt landscapes created by forest fires. Volcanic activity contributed to these environmental and ecological changes.

Adaptability of hominins

By dating the tools, the researchers were able to determine that early humans, called hominins, used the area periodically as the environment evolved. These environmental changes would also shift the types of animals and vegetation they could use for food. There are also periods that show no early human activity, suggesting that they were resourceful enough to move to other areas when this site didn’t suit their needs or was inhospitable.

“The occupation of varied and unstable environments, including after volcanic activity, is one of the earliest examples of adaptation to major ecological transformations,” said study coauthor Pastory Bushozi, director of the Humanities Research Centre and a senior lecturer in the department of archaeology and heritage studies at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

science discoveries 2020 scn
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Science's most fascinating and awe-inspiring discoveries in 2020

These early humans had the skills and tools to adapt and used the changes of the environment to their advantage. This indicates that hominins were capable of complex behavior. Rather than changing their tools when the environment changed, they kept their technology stable and used it to process plants and butcher animals.

“Hominins were a pioneer species, moving swiftly into newly disrupted landscapes to take advantage of emerging resources, for example, right after volcanic eruptions, following landslides, when lakes formed and expanded or rivers replaced lakes,” Mercader said.

“(They) utilized disturbance, unstable environments, and this occurred among large predators and in the absence of other key adaptive engines such as fire.”

During the excavations, fossils and the oldest known Oldowan stone tools were found. Oldowan referrs to the Lower Paleolithic culture of Africa from about 1.5 to 2 million years ago.
During the excavations, fossils and the oldest known Oldowan stone tools were found. Oldowan referrs to the Lower Paleolithic culture of Africa from about 1.5 to 2 million years ago.
Michael Petraglia

The study findings show that the western rift basin of the gorge predates fossils and discoveries from the eastern side of the gorge by more than 180,000 years.

While there aren’t any hominin fossils at Ewass Oldupa, fossils belonging to Homo habilis were recovered only 1,148 feet away. This early human ancestor’s fossils were dated to 1.82 million years ago.

The researchers can’t be sure if Homo habilis was present at Ewass Oldupa, but “these early humans were surely ranging widely over the landscape and along shores of the ancient lake,” Mercader said. Other hominins may have also lived and created stone tools at the site as well.

Reconstruction of the child's burial by Neandertals at La Ferrassie. © Emmanuel Roudier
Reconstruction of the child's burial by Neandertals at La Ferrassie. © Emmanuel Roudier
Emmanuel Roudier

Neanderthal child's skeleton buried 41,000 years ago may solve long-standing mystery

This “Cradle of Mankind” is in eastern Africa in the Great Rift Valley where records of extinct humans and the environment they inhabited stretches back several million years.

The researchers hope to keep studying this area to learn more about the time line of events that occurred there and understand if there was an environmental change threshold for early humans that inspired them to innovate.

The study, however, does provide further evidence to support a growing belief that early humans were much more capable than scientists had thought.

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