Chemical traces have shown that the early hominid changed its feeding habits from month to month, indicating a nomadic lifestyle. The findings increase the chances that the species, Paranthropus robustus, was wiped out by Man’s direct ancestors in a battle for supremacy on the African plains.

Until now, research on the shape of the teeth has suggested that the hominid became extinct because it was unable to adapt to environmental changes as its diet was too specialised. But analysis of four Paranthropus teeth found at Swartkrans in South Africa has shown that, far from living on tough, low-quality vegetation, the species had a varied diet.

Among the foods that it consumed were fruit and nuts, sedges, grasses, herbs, seeds, tree leaves, tubers and roots. Meat may have been eaten, although it is impossible to tell whether it was hunted or scavenged. The Anglo-American team said in its report, featured in the journal Science, that the teeth showed evidence of seasonal variety in diet. There were also variations that may reflect annual rainfall.

“This shows the variability in human diet has been ‘in the family’ for a long time,” said Professor Thure Cerling, of the University of Utah. “Hominids were taking advantage of seasonal differences in food in a savanna environment. We cannot tell if they were carnivores or scavengers but it is possible their diet included animals.”

Because teeth build up over time, the scientists were able to establish that the individual’s diet changed. Having ruled out an inability to adapt to new foods as a reason for the hominid’s extinction about a million years ago, scientists are having to reassess the causes.

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