Fossil Hand Bones Reveal Tool Use Outside Homo Lineage
Newly discovered African fossils suggest that Paranthropus boisei, an ancient hominid outside the Homo genus, may have used tools around 1.5 million years ago.
Researchers, including paleoanthropologist Carrie Mongle of Stony Brook University, found that the fossil wrist and thumb bones of a 1.5-million-year-old Paranthropus boisei individual indicate a humanlike grip, enabling the species to grasp tools.
The thumb and finger sizes and length proportions, as well as wrist features, of P. boisei allowed for pinching objects between the thumb and other fingers, although not as deftly as early Homo species.
P. boisei could have made basic cutting and pounding implements.
This discovery supports the idea that tool use was not exclusive to the Homo genus.
Author's summary: Ancient Paranthropus boisei used tools.