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KNM-WT 17000
KNM-WT 17000 cast
Common nameKNM-WT 17000
SpeciesParanthropus aethiopicus
Age2.5 million years
Place discoveredLake Turkana, Kenya
Date discovered1985
Discovered byAlan Walker

KNM-WT 17000 (also known as "The Black Skull") is a fossilized adult skull of the species Paranthropus aethiopicus. It was discovered in West Turkana, Kenya by Alan Walker in 1985.[1] Estimated to be 2.5 million years old, the fossil is an adult with an estimated cranial capacity of 410 cc.[1][2]

The fossil's characteristics include a robust build with a prominent sagittal crest. Its distinct coloration is due to the high manganese content of the material it was embedded in.[2] This fossilized cranium's face projects far outward from the forehead, has wide flared zygomatic arches, and has a large sagittal crest. The molar and premolar roots in the jaw are indicative of this early human having massive cheek teeth; an adaptation for heavy chewing. It is the only known adult skull of the species.[1][2][3]

While its relationship to other fossil hominin taxa was not immediately clear at the time of its discovery, further studies have suggested it is a possible ancestor of two species: Paranthropus boisei, of east Africa, and Paranthropus robustus, of South Africa.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Walker, A.; Leakey, R. E.; Harris, J. M.; Brown, F. H. (1986). "2.5-Myr Australopithecus boisei from west of Lake Turkana, Kenya". Nature. 322 (6079): 517–522. doi:10.1038/322517a0. ISSN 1476-4687.
  2. 1 2 3 Shook, Beth; Braff, Lara; Nelson, Katie; Aguilera, Kelsie (2023-07-01). "Chapter 9: Early Hominins". Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology, 2nd Edition (2nd ed.). American Anthropological Association. ISBN 978-1-931303-82-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ↑ "KNM-WT 17000". Smithsonian National Museum of History. January 1985. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023.
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