The Mysterious Paranthropus boisei: A Human Ancestor with a Specialized Diet

What is Paranthropus boisei known for?

Paranthropus boisei, also known as Zinjanthropus, was an early human ancestor with a specialized diet and unique cranial features.

Answer:

Paranthropus boisei, also known as Zinjanthropus, was an early human ancestor with a specialized diet and unique cranial features.

Paranthropus boisei, also known as Zinjanthropus, was an early human ancestor that lived from about 2.3 to 1.2 million years ago in Eastern Africa. It was discovered by an anthropologist named Mary Leakey at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. Paranthropus boisei had a specialized diet, with strong teeth and robust jaws adapted for eating tough plant materials. It is known for its large molars and the cranial structure called the sagittal crest.

Some important specimens of Paranthropus boisei include 'Zinj', the first discovered skull, and 'The Black Skull' found later at Koobi Fora in Kenya.