KNM-ER 406

KNM-ER 406 is a fossilized skull specimen of the species Paranthropus boisei, discovered in the Koobi Fora region of the East Turkana area in northern Kenya. This specimen is significant for its contribution to the understanding of early human evolution and the physical characteristics of Paranthropus boisei, a species that lived in Eastern Africa approximately 1.3 to 2.3 million years ago.

Discovery

KNM-ER 406 was discovered in 1969 by Richard Leakey's team in the East Lake Turkana region, an area rich in hominin fossils. The discovery of KNM-ER 406, along with other specimens of Paranthropus boisei, provided crucial evidence for the diversity of hominin species in the Pleistocene era.

Description

The specimen consists of a well-preserved skull without the lower jaw. Notable features of KNM-ER 406 include a large sagittal crest, a feature indicative of strong jaw muscles, and a broad, flat face with pronounced zygomatic arches (cheekbones). These characteristics suggest that Paranthropus boisei had a diet that required heavy chewing, likely consisting of hard or fibrous plant material.

The cranial capacity of KNM-ER 406 is estimated to be around 510 cubic centimeters, which is within the range expected for Paranthropus boisei. The size and features of the skull support the hypothesis that Paranthropus boisei was a robust hominin, adapted to a specific ecological niche with its unique dietary requirements.

Significance

The discovery of KNM-ER 406 has had a profound impact on the study of human evolution. It has helped to clarify the morphological differences between Paranthropus boisei and contemporary hominins, such as members of the genus Homo. Additionally, KNM-ER 406, along with other fossils of Paranthropus boisei, challenges the notion of a linear progression in human evolution, instead supporting a model of branching evolution with multiple hominin species coexisting and adapting to different environmental niches.

See also

• Hominina
• Fossil Hominids
• Human Evolution
• Richard Leakey
• Koobi Fora

References

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