Adult fossil strengthens evidence for Homo erectus in southern Africa 2 million years ago
Archaeologists have identified an adult Homo erectus fossil in South Africa dated to 2 million years ago. This discovery pushes back the known timeline for the species in southern Africa by 200,000 years.
Why it matters
This finding provides critical evidence regarding the evolutionary history and geographical origins of the Homo genus.
edited by Swati Mestri , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source a. DNH 8 occlusal view; b. DNH 8 left lateral view; c. DNH 8 inferior view; d. DNH 8 right lateral view. Credit: Annals of Human Biology (2026). DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2026.2725046 La Trobe archaeologists have described 18 new hominin fossils, including a second Homo erectus skull fragment that confirms the species first appeared in southern Africa 2.0 million years ago—200,000 years earlier than traditionally thought.
The fossils also include representatives of another species, P. robustus, and show that it was undergoing microevolutionary change in response to climatic pressures.
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