Scientists searching in Ethiopia believe they have found a new human-like species. Researchers have given it the scientific name Australopithecus deyiremeda, (meaning close relative). After analyzing the discovered fossils, they believe the species lived around the same period as Australopithecus afarensis, about 2.9 to 3.9 million years ago. Specifically, the latest finds were calculated between 3.3 and 3.5 million years old. Our species, Homo Sapiens, appeared only around 200,000 years ago.
Until recently, Australopithecus afarensis was believed to be a direct descendant of modern humans, made famous by the almost complete set of bones found of an individual that scientists named ‘Lucy’. Recent discoveries, including Australopithecus deyiremeda, have complicated matters and suggest there were up to four other species living and possibly competing in the same area.
Both species have combined ape-like and human-like traits. They may have been rivals for resources. However, by comparing fossils of jaws it was found that Australopithecus deyiremeda had smaller teeth than the other groups. This could mean they ate and foraged for different foods than Lucy’s species.
The findings were made by a team led by Yohannes Haile-Selassie of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Haile-Selassie said the research reveals the complexity of human evolution. Previously, it was thought that modern humans only had one common lineage. That theory could be changing.
There are those who disagree with the latest findings. Tim White, an expert in human evolution from the University of California, Berkeley, is doubtful a new species has been found. White believes it may just be common anatomical variations within the same biological species.
