In a groundbreaking discovery, fossilized footprints found at the Koobi Fora site in Kenya’s Turkana Basin have provided direct evidence of two distinct species of hominins walking upright in the same habitat 1.5 million years ago. This finding, led by biologist Kevin Hatala of Chatham University, reveals the coexistence of Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei in close proximity, likely within hours of each other.
“These footprints are a vivid snapshot of life millions of years ago, offering insights into how ancient humans moved and interacted in their environment,” said Hatala. Unlike bones or tools, fossil footprints capture the dynamics of ancient life, showcasing the presence and activities of individuals in real time.
The footprints, first uncovered in 2007, have long been celebrated as the oldest known evidence of upright walking by hominins. However, recent excavations in 2021 and 2022 unearthed even more preserved prints in ancient mud. Using advanced two- and three-dimensional measurement techniques, Hatala’s team reconstructed the walking styles of the individuals who left these impressions.
Their analysis identified two distinct walking patterns, attributable to the two species known to have inhabited the area. The prints associated with H. erectus displayed long strides and toe-off propulsion similar to modern human walking, while those of P. boisei showed a different gait.
“The presence of these two species in the same sediment layer proves that they not only lived contemporaneously but also shared the same habitat,” said Rutgers University anthropologist Craig Feibel.
Despite their close proximity, the two species likely had different diets and lifestyles, suggesting minimal competition and a possibility of peaceful coexistence. Fossil and genetic evidence, including that of Denisovans and Neanderthals in human DNA, indicates that hominin species were often capable of living side by side.
“This discovery solidifies the idea that multiple hominin species coexisted and interacted, making the evolutionary history of bipedalism and hominin development far more complex than previously thought,” Feibel added.
New Chapter in Hominin Evolution
The findings at Koobi Fora underscore the richness of the Turkana Basin in unraveling human ancestry. While skeletal remains of H. erectus and P. boisei have often been found in the same geological layers, this is the first definitive evidence of them occupying the same space and time.
“This discovery goes beyond theoretical assumptions,” said Feibel. “It demonstrates that two species of hominins shared a literal moment in time, walking the same path. That’s a remarkable connection to our distant past.”
The research opens new avenues for exploring how early humans lived, adapted, and evolved alongside one another in a shared environment.
