Homo gautengensis
Homo gautengensis (2.5–0.6 MYA) lived in south Africa during the residence of H. habilis in east Africa; emerging earlier and lasting longer. H. gautengensis has been described by Australian anthropologist Darren Curnoe as “small-brained” and “large-toothed.” It walked on the ground with 2 feet but probably spent a lot of time in the trees.
H. gautengensis ate a lot of vegetable matter, crafted and used wood and stone tools, and may have even mastered fire. Burnt animal bones were found near H. gautengensis remains.
