Is this the world's most gruesome - and unluckiest - death ever? Ancient human attacked by two deadly predators at the same time
Researchers analyzing 1.75-million-year-old Homo habilis fossils have discovered evidence suggesting the individual was attacked by both a crocodile and a leopard. The findings provide a rare and grisly look at the predatory threats faced by early human ancestors.
Why it matters
This discovery offers unique insights into the survival challenges and ecological pressures faced by early hominids in prehistoric Africa.
Homo habilis is the first species in a genus called Homo - the taxonomic group that includes us, Homo sapiens . This archaic species first appeared 2.8 million years ago in Africa and, unlike later human species, never spread beyond the continent it originated in, says Will Newton .
While they may be regarded as ‘humans’, they were a lot smaller than humans living today. From studies of their skeletons, researchers have estimated that the average Homo habilis stood 1.3m tall (4ft 3in) and weighed in at just under 40kg.
They also had smaller brains than modern humans and are thought to have behaved more like savanna chimps and baboons. That said, they could make and use tools , just like us.
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