A discovery in Kenya has revealed that Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei, two distinct hominin species, coexisted 1.5 million years ago, according to reports. According to a study published in the journal Science on Thursday, the footprints were uncovered at Koobi Fora near Lake Turkana in 2021. These findings suggest that these two species not only shared the same environment but may also have interacted. The team, led by Kevin Hatala, a paleoanthropologist from Chatham University, analysed a 26-foot-long trail of fossilised footprints.

Using advanced 3D imaging techniques, researchers identified tracks belonging to individuals with distinct foot shapes and walking patterns. As per source, it was concluded that the footprints with high arches and heel-to-toe strides were left by Homo erectus, whose body structure closely resembles that of modern humans. In contrast, the flatter footprints, marked by deeper forefoot impressions, were attributed to Paranthropus boisei, known for its robust build and divergent big toe.

According to the study, the footprints offered detailed insights into the anatomical differences between the species. A single trackway contained a dozen prints from a P. boisei individual, whose foot size was equivalent to a modern US men’s size 8.5.

Meanwhile, the H. erectus footprints were smaller, correlating to shoe sizes between a women’s 4 and men’s 6. Jeremy DeSilva, a paleoanthropologist from Dartmouth College, told Live Science that this discovery provides a rare glimpse into their locomotion and potential behavioural dynamics.

Implications for Hominin Interaction

Hatala told the publication that these species likely recognised each other as distinct, drawing comparisons to the interactions observed between chimpanzees and gorillas today. Zach Throckmorton, a Colorado State University paleoanthropologist, reportedly highlighted that the stability of the big toe, evident in H. erectus, is a crucial adaptation for walking and running.

The overlapping tracks, made within hours of each other, suggest that these species shared a landscape in closer proximity than previously thought. While their precise interactions remain speculative, the discovery opens new avenues for understanding early human evolution.

A research paper published in the Scientific Reports journal has detailed the discovery of embalming practices by an aristocratic French family between the 16th and 17th centuries. A team from the Austrian Archaeological Institute, Université de Bordeaux, and Aix-Marseille Université uncovered remains of the dead in a shared crypt at Château des Milandes in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Dordogne as per reports. The skeletal remains of 12 individuals, comprising seven adults and five children, were analysed, revealing the systematic use of embalming methods.

Embalming Techniques and Processes

As per the research paper, it was found that embalming focused on temporary preservation for burial ceremonies. Internal organs, including the brain, were removed with precision, and the skulls were carefully reopened and replaced. Bodies were treated with a mixture of balsam and aromatic substances. In the paper, the research team also highlighted that the embalming methodology was identical to the one mentioned in a 1708 autopsy instruction manual by French surgeon Pierre Dionis.

A Rare Familial Practice

The study highlighted the uniqueness of the find, noting that long-term familial embalming practices are exceedingly rare. The process was consistently applied across generations, including both children and adults, suggesting its cultural importance within the Caumont family. Their wealth and social status were likely factors in sustaining the practice.

Significance of the Findings

The crypt, dating back to the late 16th century, has provided an unprecedented look into post-mortem rituals of Early Modern France. The research provides a unique perspective on post-mortem practices in Early Modern France, shedding light on the cultural and social significance of embalming within aristocratic circles.

As reported in Scientific Reports, the findings mark an unprecedented insight into mortuary traditions of the period.