What are recent discoveries of human evolution?(1)

Recent discoveries in human evolution continue to reshape our understanding of our ancient ancestors and their behaviors. Here are some of the most significant findings:

Oldest Wooden Structures: Excavations at Kalambo Falls in Zambia uncovered a 476,000-year-old wooden structure, the oldest known use of wood for construction. This challenges the belief that early hominins primarily used stone tools and suggests advanced cognitive abilities in crafting complex objects well before modern humans appeared.

(SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE)

(PLOS SCICOMM)

Earliest Stone Tool Use: In Nyayanga, Kenya, 3-million-year-old Oldowan stone tools were found alongside butchered hippopotamus bones, expanding the known range of early tool use. These tools may have been made by Paranthropus, not just Homo habilis, showing that different hominin species could have contributed to early technological advances.

(PLOS SCICOMM)

(SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE)

Symbolic and Burial Practices by Homo naledi: In the Rising Star cave system in South Africa, researchers found evidence suggesting Homo naledi (a small-brained hominin) practiced intentional burial and symbolic behaviors over 200,000 years ago. This includes engraved geometric symbols on cave walls, indicating early cognitive abilities previously thought to be exclusive to Homo sapiens.

(NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY NEWSROOM)

These discoveries challenge earlier assumptions about the cognitive and cultural abilities of ancient hominins, showing that sophisticated behaviors such as toolmaking, construction, and symbolic practices may have evolved long before modern humans appeared.