Scientists say the newly discovered fossils at South Africa’s Kromdraai site provide fresh insight into ancient ecosystems and their role in shaping human evolution.
The study was funded by the Genus-DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences.
A collection of fossilised bovids (animals with horns) was discovered, which has led researchers to a conclusion that there were previously unknown species that once roamed ancient grasslands.
Findings detailed in a publication (Quaternary Science Reviews), not only highlight the biodiversity of the Plio-Pleistocene era, but also point to environmental conditions which influenced the development of early human species.
Among recent discoveries, is an unknown medium-sized buffalo species, which has highlighted the complexity of ancient ecosystems.
Its skull was discovered as dozens of small broken bone pieces and Jean-Baptiste Fourvel and Dr Hanon spent hours on it, to be able to refit most of the pieces together, to figure out what kind of animal it is.
“Even after refitting all the pieces, it was very fragile, therefore difficult to manipulate and identify. The fossil record of the African buffalo is scarce, especially in South Africa, so it was not easy to find relevant information that could help us identify the skull” said Dr Raphael Hanon, author and a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of Witwatersrand.
He also said “Paleontology often conjures images of dinosaurs, but studying modern animals like bovids is crucial too. Bovids are diverse and successful in Africa, offering insights into both ancient and modern ecosystems. Their evolutionary history is intertwined with ours, as they have been a key part of the landscape and human societies since the Miocene, about 23 million years ago.”
The findings thus far, show expansive grasslands were thriving in the area about 5 million years ago.