Footprints discovered on the shores of Lake Turkana in Kenya in 2021 and dated to 1.5 million years ago showed that Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei lived in the same place and time. Homo erectus is thought to be the direct ancestor of modern humans, while Paranthropus boisei is thought to have looked more like monkeys and walked faster.
“WHEN WALKING, THEY FIRST PRESSED ON THEIR HEELS AND THEN USED THEIR FINGERS”
Dr. Neil T. Roach said that the walking style of Homo erectus was similar to modern humans and said, “They had hard feet and while walking, they first stepped on their heels and then used their fingers.”
From Chatham University in the USA, Dr. Kevin Hatala said, “For the first time, we know that two species live side by side. “They were probably aware of each other’s existence,” he said.
Paleoanthropologist Dr. from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Briana Pobiner said, “Maybe they competed for the same food; “Perhaps they just looked at each other warily from across a grassy field or ignored each other completely.”
THEY LIVED IN THE SAME ECOSYSTEM
Researchers confirm that the two species live in the same ecosystem. The fact that the footprints were formed a few hours or days apart indicates that these two species may have interacted with each other. (DHA)