Paranthropus
Paranthropus boisei
"Nutcracker Man"
2.3–1.2 Ma·1.10 Ma·Discovered 1959
Description
Mary Leakey found OH 5. Massive molars, robust jaw — diet probably of tubers and tough plants.
Notable facts
- Molars 4× larger than ours
- Coexisted with Homo erectus for 500,000 years
- Mary Leakey nicknamed it "Dear Boy"
- Survived nearly 1 Ma almost unchanged
Key specimens
OH 5
"Zinjanthropus"
Cranium found by Mary Leakey in 1959 at Olduvai Gorge.
KNM-ER 406
Complete cranium
Almost complete cranium from Koobi Fora, Kenya, 1969.
Anatomy
Massive face, huge molars, sagittal crest.
Locomotion
Bipedal.
Diet
Tough plants: sedges, tubers, hard fruits. Isotopes show C4 plant focus.
Where to see it
Tanzania National Museum / Nairobi National Museum.
Media & references
Image ·
Wikimedia Commons · Wikipedia article