Oldest Genetic Study Identifies Ancient 'Outsider' Human Species

Researchers have used protein analysis of fossilized teeth to predict genetic relationships between early hominins, providing valuable insights into the evolutionary family tree of human beings. The study focused on teeth from an ancient relative called Paranthropus robustus, found in South Africa's Swartkrans cave. By comparing the results with DNA information from other fossils and modern hominids, the researchers tentatively placed P. robustus as an "outgroup" to the evolutionary line that includes Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans. The study demonstrates the feasibility of recovering informative early hominin enamel proteins and could be applied to other geologically-comparable sites in Africa.