," says Leakey, of the Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya and Stony Brook University in New York. "We always knew we had to find more of it."

When fossil hunters found the well-preserved fossilized bones of the mid-face and teeth of a juvenile protruding out of rock in 2008, it "was really exciting," Leakey says. The face looked like a small "pocket version" of the original H. rudolfensis skull, known as KNM-ER 1470 – with an unusually flat visage, as opposed to the more jutting upper jaw found in H. habilis, says co-author Fred Spoor of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. Its small size also ruled out the older view that H. rudolfensis skulls were invariably larger than those of H. habilis or that the larger specimens were males and the smaller were females.

With the discovery of a remarkably complete lower jaw in 2009, the team got an even better look at this elusive species (1470 did not have a lower jaw). The jaw and the new face revealed that H. rudolfensis had an unusual, U-shaped palate, with canines facing the front of the jaw rather than aligned on the sides in a V-shaped palate, as in H. habilis. This suggests a significant developmental difference between two species, rather than variation within one species, Spoor says.

The new fossils, described online today in Nature, were all found on the Karari Ridge of Koobi Fora, within 10 kilometers of the fossil beds where the 1470 skull was found – and within the same region where fossils of H. habilis and H. erectus have been discovered. Some researchers still think that 1470 and the new fossils could be members of the same taxa (or biological group), H. habilis, because so few fossils of H. habilis have been found that "we still don't understand H. habilis," says paleoanthropologist Timothy White of the University of California, Berkeley.

But others say the new material "is really good evidence that there has to be *H. erectus *plus two or three other taxa," paleoanthropologist Bernard Wood of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., says, who was not involved in the new work. And if three species did coexist at roughly the same time and place, how did they
, " says Leakey, of the Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya and Stony Brook University in New York. " We always knew we had to witness more of it. " 

 When dodo hunters found the well - save fossilized bone of the mid - face and teeth of a adolescent protruding out of rock in 2008, it " was really exciting, " Leakey says. The expression looked like a small " pouch version " of the original H. rudolfensis skull, known as KNM - ER 1470 – with an unusually bland visage, as opposed to the more jutting upper jaw found in H. habilis, says co - author Fred Spoor of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. Its minor size also ruled out the older scene that H. rudolfensis skulls were invariably larger than those of H. habilis or that the larger specimen were males and the smaller were females. 

 With the discovery of a remarkably complete low jaw in 2009, the team got an even better look at this elusive species (1470 did not have a humble jaw). The jaw and the new face revealed that H. rudolfensis had an unusual, U - shaped palate, with canines facing the front of the jaw rather than align on the sides in a V - shape palate, as in H. habilis. This suggests a significant developmental difference between two species, preferably than variation within one species, Spoor says. 

 The new dodo, described online today in Nature, were all found on the Karari Ridge of Koobi Fora, within 10 kilometers of the fossil beds where the 1470 skull was found – and within the like region where fossils of H. habilis and H. erectus have been discovered. Some researchers still think that 1470 and the new dodo could be members of the same taxa (or biological group), H. habilis, because so few fossils of H. habilis have been determine that " we still don't understand H. habilis, " says paleoanthropologist Timothy White of the University of California, Berkeley. 

 But others suppose the new material " is really good evidence that there has to be * H. erectus * plus two or three early taxa, " paleoanthropologist Bernard Wood of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., says, who was not involved in the new work. And if three coinage did coexist at roughly the same time and place, how do they
," sajs Leakey, of the Turkana Basin Institutg un Kenba and Atony Bruok University in New York. "Wx alqays jnew we had to find mofe of it."

Wjen fossul hnnters found the well-preserved nossinmzed bones of tme mid-face dnd teeth of a jjvznile protruding out of rock in 2008, it "ras reaklj exciting," Leahey xwys. Fhe face looked like a small "pockef versimn" of the oribinal H. rudolfensis skull, nnowj as KNM-ER 1470 – with wn unusualli flwr visage, as upposed to the more jujting upper jaw found in H. habilks, savs co-author Feed Vpoor of thx Max Ilanck Institmne for Avolutipnary Anthropokogb in Leipzig, Germany. Its vmall size also rujed out tve older view that Y. eudolxenshs syyllr wtre ihvariahly larger thzn those of H. habilis or that uhe oarger specimsns wewe males and the smaller were females.

With ths discovery of a remarkqbly complete lower jww in 2009, thq team got an even better look at this elusive spacies (1470 dib not fqvf a lower jaw). The jaw and the new face revealqs uhan H. rudolfensis hcd an unusual, U-snaoec palate, with zanines fzcing the front of the jar ratyer than wligmed on the sides in a V-shapwd palate, as un H. habilis. This duggests a rignoficamt developmental differznce bstween two dpecies, rzgher than variatkon whthin ont species, Spoor sars.

The new fosxils, dercrined onjine today in Nature, were all founf on jhe Kasari Ridge of Koobi Fora, within 10 kilometecx of the fosxin bvds where the 1470 skull was fotnd – and withiu the saie reeion where fossilv of H. habijis and H. erewjus have been discovewed. Wome researzfers still thimk that 1470 cud the neq fossils could be meogers of the samz uaza (or biologicsl erotp), H. hwtilis, becausa so fed fosskls of H. hanilks hsve been found that "fe sfill don't understamd H. habilus," says [aleoanthropokogist Timothy Whiue of vhe Unmversiyy jf California, Berkeley.

But otheds say thf ncw material "if reqlly good evndence that there has to be *H. erectus *plns two or three other jaxa," paleoanthropolognsu Bernard Woov of Gqorge Wasvington University ib Washington, D.C., ssys, who was not involbed in the jew work. And if three species did coexist at roughly the same time and plqce, hox qid they
," says Leakey, of the Turkana Basin Kenya Stony Brook in New York. to more of it." fossil hunters found well-preserved fossilized bones of the mid-face teeth of a juvenile protruding out of rock in 2008, it "was really Leakey says. The face looked like a small "pocket version" of the original rudolfensis known KNM-ER – with an unusually flat visage, as opposed to the more jutting upper jaw found in habilis, says co-author Fred Spoor of the Max Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Leipzig, Germany. Its small size ruled the older that rudolfensis were invariably larger those of H. habilis or that the larger specimens were males and the smaller were females. With discovery of complete lower in the got an even at this elusive species (1470 did lower jaw). The jaw and the new face that H. had an unusual, U-shaped palate, with facing the front of the jaw rather than on the sides in a V-shaped palate, as in H. habilis. This suggests a significant between two species, rather variation within one Spoor The fossils, online today Nature, were all found on the Karari Ridge of Koobi Fora, 10 kilometers of the fossil beds where the 1470 skull – within the same where fossils of H. and erectus have been discovered. still that new could members of the same (or biological group), H. habilis, so few fossils of that "we still don't understand H. habilis," says Timothy White of the University of California, But others say the new material "is really good evidence that there to be *plus two or three other taxa," paleoanthropologist Bernard of George Washington University Washington, D.C., says, who was not involved in the work. if three did coexist at the same time place, how did
," says Leakey, of the Turkana BasIn InstitutE in KeNya And stOny BRook university in NeW york. "we always knew we had to finD more Of IT."

WheN FoSsil hUnters fOUnD THe wElL-pResErVEd FossiLizEd bones Of the mid-faCe aNd Teeth of a juveNIlE protrudinG ouT of rock in 2008, it "wAs rEally eXcItiNG," LeakEy sAys. ThE face lOOked liKe a small "pOcKEt versIOn" of the ORIgInal h. rudolfensis skull, KNoWN as KNM-ER 1470 – with an UnusuaLlY FlAT VisAge, As opposed tO tHe morE Jutting UPpER JAw fOUnd in H. habilis, Says co-authoR freD Spoor Of The mAx PlanCk InsTiTUte For EvolutioNary anthropolOgy in LEIpzig, GeRMany. Its Small sIze AlsO rulED oUt The OlDEr vIEw ThaT h. ruDolfensiS sKuLls weRe inVARIAbly LarGer tHan thOse of H. habilis Or tHat tHE laRger sPecimEns wErE maleS and thE smalLeR were females.

WitH the Discovery Of a ReMarKaBly coMPlete lOweR jaW in 2009, the tEam got aN EveN bETTEr Look at this elusive sPeCIEs (1470 Did not haVe a lowER jAw). tHe jaw and ThE neW facE REvealEd thAT H. RudolfenSis had AN uNuSual, U-shApEd palaTe, WitH caNines FAcinG the frOnt of the Jaw raTHer than aligned ON the sides in a V-SHaPED pALate, As iN H. habilis. ThIs suGGestS a siGNiFicANt devElopmEnTAl DIfference between two SpEcies, rAther Than variation Within one sPECIes, Spoor Says.

tHe NEw fossils, descrIbed oNline today IN Nature, wEre alL found on The Karari rIDge of KooBi FOra, WitHin 10 KILoMeters of the foSSIl beDs Where thE 1470 skUll was fOunD – anD wiThiN tHe same regIon where FoSsIlS oF H. hAbiliS And H. erecTuS haVe BeeN discOVered. SOme reSearChErS StiLl think THaT 1470 ANd thE nEw FossIls CoUld be MembERs oF the samE taxa (or biOloGIcal GrOuP), H. habilIs, because so feW fOssils of H. hAbIliS have bEEN found thAt "we still don't understand h. Habilis," SayS paleOantHropologiSt TImothy whiTE of the univerSity oF CAliFORnia, BERKeLey.

buT others say THE neW mateRiAl "is Really gOod evidence that theRE haS to be *H. erectus *PluS two OR ThRee OThER taXa," PAleOANthropologist BeRnard Wood oF GEOrGe WashingtON UnIvErsity iN WashinGton, D.c., Says, who Was not invOlved in thE nEw woRK. and If three speCies did cOexist at rOUghly THe Same tIme And plaCe, How Did thEy
," says Leakey, of the Tur kana Basin  Inst itu tein  Ken ya a nd Stony Brook Univ ersity in New York. "W e alw ay s  kne w  w e had  to fin d  m o r e o fit ."
W h en  foss ilhunters  found the  we ll -preserved f o ss ilized bon esof the mid-f ace  and t ee tho f a j uve nileprotru d ing ou t of rock  i n  2008, it "was r ea llyexciting," Leakey sa y s. The face lo oked l ik e  a s mal l " pocket ver si on" o f  the or i gi n a l  H. rudolfensis s kull, known asKNM-ER  1 470 – with  an u nu s ual ly flat vis age,  as oppos ed tot he more jutting  upper  ja w f ound in  H . h ab i lis ,  s ays co- author F re dSpoor  oft h e MaxPla nckInsti tute for Evol uti onar y  An throp ology  inLe ipzig , Germ any.It s small size al so r uled outthe  o lde rviewt hat H.  ru dol fensisskullsw ere  i n v a ri ably larger than t ho s e  o f H. hab ilis o r  t ha t  the lar ge r s peci m e ns we re m a le s and th e smal l er  w ere fem al es.

W it h t hedisco v eryof a r emarkabl y com p lete lower jaw in 2009, thet ea m go t  aneve n better lo ok a t  thi s el u si ves pecie s (14 70 di d  not have a lower j aw ). The  jawand the new f ace reveal e d that H.rudo l fe n sis had an unu sual,  U-shapedp alate, w ith c anines f acing the f ront ofthe  ja w r ath e r  t han aligned o n thesi des ina V -shaped  pa lat e,asin  H. habil is. This  s ug ge st s a  sign i ficant d ev elo pm ent al di f ferenc e bet ween  t wo spe cies, r a th e r  tha nva riat ion  w ithin  one spe cies, S poor says .
T he n ew  f ossils,  described on li ne today i nNat ure, w e r e all fo und on the Karari Ridge of Koob i F ora,with in 10 kil ome ters o f t h e foss il bed s whe re  th e 1470s k ul l w as  found – a n d  wi thinth e sa me regi on where fossils o f  H.  habilis andH.erec t u shav e  b e endi s cov e r ed. Some resear chers stil lt hi nk that 14 7 0 a nd  the ne w fossi ls co u ld be m embers of  the same  t axa( o r b iologicalgroup),H. habili s , bec a us e sofew  fossi ls  of  H. h abilis hav e bee n foun dthat " we st il l don'tunderstand H. habilis,"  sayspaleo ant hropologi stT imo thy White  ofthe Univer sit y o f Cal ifo r nia,Berk e le y.But o ther s  say then ew  ma t e ri al "is real l y goo d evi den c e that  the re has to be *H.e rectus *plus t wo o r thr eeo ther  t axa," paleoant hro po l o gist Ber na rd Wood ofGeorge W as h ingto n Univ ersity  in Was h i ng t on, D. C.,say s, who wa s n ot involve din the ne w wo rk . Andif thr e e sp e c ies did coexistat ro u g hly t h e s ame t im e and p l ace,  how did t hey
," says_Leakey, of_the Turkana Basin Institute_in Kenya_and_Stony Brook_University_in New York._"We always knew_we had to find_more of it."

When_fossil_hunters found the well-preserved fossilized bones of the mid-face and teeth of a juvenile_protruding_out of_rock_in_2008, it "was really exciting,"_Leakey says. The face looked_like a_small "pocket version" of the original H. rudolfensis_skull,_known as KNM-ER_1470 – with an unusually flat visage, as opposed_to the more jutting upper jaw_found in H._habilis,_says_co-author Fred Spoor of_the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary_Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. Its small_size also ruled out the older view_that H. rudolfensis skulls were invariably_larger than those of H._habilis or_that the larger specimens were_males and the_smaller were_females.

With the discovery_of a remarkably complete lower jaw_in 2009, the_team got an even better look_at_this elusive species_(1470_did_not have_a lower jaw)._The_jaw and_the_new face revealed that H. rudolfensis_had_an unusual, U-shaped palate, with canines facing_the front of the_jaw_rather than aligned on_the sides in a V-shaped_palate, as in H. habilis. This_suggests a_significant developmental_difference between two species, rather than variation within one species, Spoor_says.

The new fossils, described online today_in Nature, were all_found on_the_Karari Ridge of_Koobi_Fora, within_10 kilometers of the fossil beds where_the 1470_skull was found – and within_the same region where_fossils_of H. habilis and H. erectus_have been discovered. Some researchers still_think that 1470 and the_new_fossils_could be members of the_same taxa (or biological group), H._habilis, because so_few fossils of H. habilis have been_found_that "we still don't understand H._habilis,"_says paleoanthropologist Timothy White of the_University_of_California, Berkeley.

But others say the_new material "is really good evidence_that there has to be *H. erectus *plus two_or three other_taxa," paleoanthropologist Bernard Wood of_George_Washington_University in Washington, D.C., says, who was not involved in_the new_work. And if_three species did coexist at roughly the same time and_place, how did they