Overview
A Middle Pliocene hominin with a distinctively flat face and small molars, contrasting with the prognathic Au. afarensis. Some researchers consider the cranium too distorted by matrix expansion to be reliably diagnosed and suggest it may be a distorted Au. afarensis. Others see it as a separate lineage that may be ancestral to Homo (via H. rudolfensis).
Key Fossils
KNM-WT 40000 (cranium)
Brain Anatomy
No Cranial Data Available
No cranial remains or endocasts have been recovered for this species, so brain morphology cannot be directly assessed.
Tools & Technology
Associated Tool Traditions
Lomekwian
The oldest known stone tool tradition, predating the genus Homo. Characterized by large, crudely flaked cores and flakes produced by passive hammer (anvil) technique.
Diet
Small molars suggest softer foods than Au. afarensis
Genetics & Ancient DNA
| Genome Coverage | % |
|---|---|
| DNA Source | |
| Sequencing Year | |
| mtDNA Available | No |
| Nuclear DNA | No |
| Divergence Date (fossil calibrated) | 3.3 MYA |
Kenyanthropus: no DNA; phylogenetic position debated.
Molecular clock data from TimeTree 5 (Kumar et al. 2022).
Phylogenetic Relationships
| Related Species | Relationship | Confidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homo rudolfensis | Possible ancestor | Weak | Some researchers link the flat-faced K. platyops to the flat-faced H. rudolfensis |
Scientific References
- (2001). "New hominin genus from eastern Africa shows diverse middle Pliocene lineages". Nature 410:433-440