New evidence reveals that Homo erectus was able to survive in extreme environments like deserts as early as 1.2 million years ago, challenging the notion that only Homo sapiens was such an adaptable creature.
More than a million years ago, Homo erectus demonstrated remarkable adaptability by surviving in harsh desert conditions. New research suggests that populations of Homo erectus repeatedly used freshwater sources and developed unique tools to cope with environmental challenges.
The study, published on January 16, 2025 in the journal Communications Earth & Environment , notes that this survival may have played a key role in the geographical expansion of Homo erectus.
Archaeological findings in Olduvai Gorge
At the Engaji Nanyori site in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge, a team of researchers collected archaeological, geological, and paleoclimatic data. The site, recognized as one of the most important in the study of early humans, revealed that between 1.2 million and XNUMX million years ago, the area was in semi-desert conditions with typical desert vegetation.
The researchers, led by Julio Mercado and Paul Durkin, found that Homo erectus populations in the region repeatedly returned to freshwater sources such as rivers and ponds. They also developed unique tools such as scrapers and denticulates, which likely helped streamline butchering and cooking.
The researchers say the findings challenge the previous assumption that only Homo sapiens was capable of surviving in extreme conditions like deserts. They suggest that Homo erectus was a generalist that coped with a wide range of environments, from Africa to Eurasia.
"Our results demonstrate that Homo erectus was much more adaptable than we thought," the researchers conclude.
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Homo erectus still exist in some parts they are called Aborigines who are half-half