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Drimolen postcranial fossils support mixed hominin attribution

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Research area:anthropology-archaeologybiological-physical-anthropology

What the study found

The study found that the Drimolen Main Quarry postcranial fossils are mostly attributable to Paranthropus robustus, although a few specimens may be linked to Homo aff. erectus. The authors also report that the hominins were small-bodied and committed to terrestrial bipedality, or walking on two legs on land.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that these remains add information about the paleobiology of the Drimolen hominins. They also suggest that the findings may reflect taxonomic variation or evolutionary mosaicism, meaning different body parts may have evolved at different rates or in different combinations.

What the researchers tested

The researchers cataloged isolated postcranial specimens recovered between 1994 and 2015 from Drimolen Main Quarry in Gauteng Province, South Africa. They provided formal descriptions and carried out comparative and functional analyses of the fossil bones.

What worked and what didn't

Twenty-eight fossil specimens were cataloged, and two earlier specimens previously considered possibly hominin were removed from that category. DNH 32 and DNH 43 could be assigned to Paranthropus robustus with some confidence, while DNH 150a and b may be associated with the juvenile Homo aff. erectus cranium DNH 134. Most other specimens probably belong to Paranthropus robustus, but the mixed assemblage made taxonomic attribution difficult.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe all specimens as securely identified, and it notes that attribution is challenging because Drimolen contains a mixed hominin assemblage. It also indicates that the interpretation of the first metatarsal is uncertain, since its curved joint may suggest increased hallucal divergence in that individual.

Key points

  • Twenty-eight Drimolen postcranial fossils were cataloged, and two possible hominin specimens were reclassified out of that status.
  • Most of the postcranial remains were probably from Paranthropus robustus.
  • Some material, including infant neural arches, may be associated with Homo aff. erectus.
  • Functional analyses indicated small-bodied hominins adapted to terrestrial bipedality.
  • A first metatarsal showed a curved joint that may suggest increased hallucal divergence in one individual.

Disclosure

Research title:
Drimolen postcranial fossils support mixed hominin attribution
Authors:
Caley M. Orr, Stephanie E. Baker, Tara E. Hobbs, Michael R. Lague, A. B. Leece, Jesse M. Martin, Thierra K. Nalley, Biren A. Patel, Thomas C. Prang, Gary T. Schwartz, Matthew W. Tocheri, David S. Strait, Andy I.R. Herries
Institutions:
Arizona State University, Department of Archaeology, La Trobe University, La Trobe University, La Trobe University, Lakehead University, Smithsonian Institution, Stockton University, University of Cambridge, University of Colorado Anschutz, University of Colorado Anschutz, University of Colorado Denver, University of Johannesburg, University of Johannesburg, University of Johannesburg, University of Southern California, Washington University in St. Louis, Washington University in St. Louis, Western University of Health Sciences
Publication date:
2026-01-27
DOI:
10.1002/ar.70141
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by gpt-5.4-mini (OpenAI). The original authors did not write or review this post.

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