By Dawan Africa - Reporter
Ethiopia, 28 November 2025 — In a groundbreaking scientific discovery that reshapes the understanding of human evolution, the Ethiopian Heritage Authority has announced the identification of a previously unknown human ancestor species dating back 3.4 million years.
The fossils were unearthed at the Woranso-Mille site in the Afar Rift, one of the world’s most significant hotspots for ancient human discoveries.
The newly identified species, named Australopithecus deyiremeda, includes a rare foot bone known as the “Burtele foot”, as well as a small jawbone and deciduous teeth.
Scientists say the anatomical features of these specimens do not match any previously known species, suggesting that this is a distinct hominin that lived alongside other early human ancestors in East Africa.
Paleoanthropologist Dr. Yohannes Haile-Selassie of Arizona State University said the diversity in traits offers strong evidence of multiple early human lineages coexisting during prehistoric times.
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“Every new discovery in Afar gives us a broader window into the origins of humanity and how early ancestors adapted to their environment,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Professor Abebaw Ayalew, Director General of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority, described the finding as “a new pillar upon which future research will be built,” emphasizing that Ethiopia “remains a land whose layers continue to reveal unfinished chapters in the story of early human origins.”
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to supporting research missions and strengthening the capacity of paleontologists in order to preserve Ethiopia’s scientific heritage and reinforce its position as a global center for studying ancient human history.
