埃塞俄比亚重大发现挑战人类起源假设 牙齿化石改写“从猿到人”线性叙事

Core Insights - The narrative of human evolution is being rewritten, indicating that human origins are more complex than previously thought [1] - New evidence from Ethiopia suggests that early hominins coexisted with Australopithecus, challenging the linear model of evolution [2][3] Group 1: New Discoveries - A team from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, discovered that Australopithecus and early Homo species coexisted in the same region 2.6 to 2.8 million years ago [2] - The findings imply that human evolution resembles a branching tree rather than a single linear path [2][3] - The newly discovered Australopithecus teeth show unique features not found in previously known species, indicating a new species [5] Group 2: Geological Context - The Ledi-Geraru site in Ethiopia is significant for paleoanthropology, having yielded the oldest Homo jawbone, dating back 2.8 million years [6] - The geological background reveals a vibrant environment 2 to 3 million years ago, contrasting sharply with the current landscape [7] - The region has preserved a record from 2.3 to 2.95 million years ago, which is crucial for understanding human evolution [7] Group 3: Implications for Human Evolution - The research suggests that four hominin lineages may have coexisted in East Africa before 2.5 million years ago, including early Homo and the newly identified Australopithecus [9] - Key questions remain about the interactions between these species, such as competition for resources and their ancestral relationships [9] - The findings highlight the complexity of human origins, challenging the simplistic view of a linear evolutionary path [9]