Researchers have uncovered 2.6-million-year-old hominin remains in Ethiopia’s Afar region, marking the first confirmed presence of the genus Paranthropus in that region.

Fana Media Corporation, a partner of TV BRICS, reported that the fossil was unearthed at the Mille–Logya site, a key paleoanthropological location in Afar.

According to experts, the report said, the find fills a long-standing gap in the region’s fossil record and offers new insights into the evolutionary history of early humans.

Ethiopia, often referred to as the ‘land of origins’, has a rich legacy of paleontological research.

Sites across the country have yielded hominin fossils and stone tools spanning nearly six million years, providing a comprehensive record of human ancestry.

While species from the genera Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, and Homo have been identified in Afar, Paranthropus fossils had previously been absent.

Ethiopian Heritage Authority deputy director-general Elias Shikur emphasised the discovery’s significance, stating that it reinforces Ethiopia’s reputation as the ‘cradle of humankind’.

He noted that the find underscores the importance of collaborative research between Ethiopian and international scientists, further elevating the country’s global profile in the study of human origins.

Elias Shikur added that recent fossil discoveries are likely to attract heightened international attention, bolstering Ethiopia’s standing in scientific research, cultural tourism, and international collaboration.

He described the identification of Paranthropus in Afar as a pivotal moment for paleoanthropology, highlighting evidence that the region once hosted a diverse range of early human species.

“The Afar region is emerging as a leading centre for paleoanthropological research, with clear signs that multiple early human species thrived here,” he said.

The Ethiopian Heritage Authority reaffirmed its commitment to supporting young researchers, strengthening partnerships with global scientific institutions, and providing institutional support for individual research initiatives.

(TV BRICS/NAN)