Archaeology and ichnology at Gombore II-2, Melka Kunture, Ethiopia: everyday life of a mixed-age hominin group 700,000 years ago

A rare ichnological assemblage from Gombore II-2, Melka Kunture, Ethiopia, provides unprecedented insight into the daily life of a mixed-age hominin group 700,000 years ago. The tracks, preserved in silty substrate near a water body, reveal the presence of adults and children as young as 12 months, alongside ungulates, mammals, and birds. This discovery, combined with rich archaeological and paleontological records, confirms in situ knapping activity and the use of stone tools for butchering hippo carcasses. The site offers direct evidence of hominin landscape use during this period, shedding light on the early social dynamics and subsistence strategies of our ancestors.

Altamura, F., Bennett, M. R., D’Août, K., Gaudzinski-Windheuser, S., Melis, R. T., Reynolds, S. C., & Mussi, M. (2018). Archaeology and ichnology at Gombore II-2, Melka Kunture, Ethiopia: everyday life of a mixed-age hominin group 700,000 years ago. Scientific Reports, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21158-7