Photo: Dental Detectives Reveal Diet of Ancient Human Ancestors



The fossil skull of early human ancestor Paranthropus robustus, which died out 1.5 to 1 million years ago, is seen here.

High-tech dental detectives have revealed that the species had a surprisingly diverse diet, countering the theory that it went extinct because it couldn't cope with food scarcity in Africa's changing environment.

Photograph © Science


NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.