AI reveals which predators chewed ancient humans’ bones – challenging ideas on which ‘Homo’ species was the first tool-using hunter

By: Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo, Rice University

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: October 28, 2025

Words: 1,183

Last Updated: 4 weeks ago

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By Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo, Rice University

Almost 2 million years ago, a young ancient human died beside a spring near a lake in what is now Tanzania, in eastern Africa. After archaeologists uncovered his fossilized bones in 1960, they used them to define Homo habilis – the earliest known member of our own genus.

Paleoanthropologists define the first examples of the genus Homo based largely on their bigger brains – and, sometimes, smaller teeth – compared …

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