Mysterious Foot Fossil Reveals New Hominin Species

Discovery in Ethiopia provides evidence of two bipedal human ancestors living side-by-side 3.2 million years ago.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In 2009, archaeologists in Ethiopia's Afar Rift discovered a 3.2 million-year-old hominin foot fossil that was distinctly different from the famous 'Lucy' Australopithecus afarensis fossil found in the same region decades earlier. After years of further excavation and analysis, the researchers confirmed the foot belonged to a newly discovered hominin species, Australopithecus deyiremeda, that coexisted with Lucy's species in the same area.

Why it matters

The discovery of two bipedal hominin species living in the same region without pushing each other to extinction challenges assumptions about competition and survival among our early ancestors. It suggests these hominins may have found ways to coexist, potentially by occupying different ecological niches based on their differing diets.

The details

The Burtele Nature Foot, as it was named, had an opposable big toe for climbing, unlike Lucy's species which had feet more similar to modern humans. After years of searching, the research team finally found teeth and other fossils that conclusively linked the foot to the new Australopithecus deyiremeda species. Dental analysis showed the two species had somewhat different plant-based diets, allowing them to share the same habitat.

  • The original Lucy Australopithecus afarensis fossil was discovered in 1974.
  • The Burtele Nature Foot was discovered in 2009 during further excavations in the Afar Rift region of Ethiopia.
  • In 2012, the researchers announced the discovery of the mysterious foot fossil.
  • In 2015, the team announced the discovery of teeth from the new Australopithecus deyiremeda species.
  • After years of further excavation, the researchers conclusively linked the Burtele Nature Foot to the new hominin species in 2026.

The players

Yohannes Haile-Selassie

An Arizona State University paleoanthropologist who led the research team that discovered and analyzed the Burtele Nature Foot.

Australopithecus afarensis

The hominin species that includes the famous 'Lucy' fossil, one of the earliest known bipedal human ancestors.

Australopithecus deyiremeda

The newly discovered hominin species identified from the Burtele Nature Foot and other fossils found in the Afar Rift region of Ethiopia.

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What they’re saying

“When we found the foot in 2009 and announced it in 2012, we knew that it was different from Lucy's species, Australopithecus afarensis, which is widely known from that time. However, it is not common practice in our field to name a species based on postcranial elements –elements below the neck – so we were hoping that we would find something above the neck in clear association with the foot. Crania, jaws and teeth are usually the elements used in species recognition.”

— Yohannes Haile-Selassie, Arizona State University paleoanthropologist (Nature)

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue excavating the Afar Rift site to uncover more fossils that could provide additional insights into the coexistence of these two early human ancestor species.

The takeaway

The discovery of two bipedal hominin species living side-by-side without driving each other to extinction challenges assumptions about competition and survival among our early ancestors. It suggests these hominins may have found ways to peacefully coexist, potentially by occupying different ecological niches based on their differing diets.