Fossil teeth from two distinct ancient human lineages – Homo and Australopithecus – have been unearthed at Ledi-Geraru, northeastern Ethiopia, dating back 2.5 to 2.8 million years. This discovery reveals that these lineages coexisted, challenging the linear view of human evolution. The findings, published in Nature, show a more complex, 'bushy' evolutionary tree, with Homo and Australopithecus existing simultaneously in eastern Africa. This significant find bridges a gap in the fossil record and increases the known diversity of hominins during this period.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.