What was East Africa like 4 million years ago, what did the inhabitants eat, how did they live? Surprising information found in tooth fossils

The Afar region of East Africa was not as dry as it is today, but rather full of dense forests, rivers and lakes - such sensational information has emerged from the analysis of ancient tooth fossils. Scientists say that important evidence of the environment, fauna and lifestyle of primitive people millions of years ago is hidden in tooth enamel.

The study was led by Professor Zelalem Bedaso of the University of Dayton in the United States. After examining the tooth fossils recovered from the Afar region of Ethiopia, they found that this region was completely different about 4 million years ago.

Scientists explained that even though human bones decay over time, tooth enamel remains almost unchanged. As a result, analyzing the chemical elements deposited in that enamel can help us understand what ancient animals ate and what kind of environment they lived in.

This study found that the Afar region at that time had vast forests, grasslands, rivers and lakes. Animals like giraffes, elephants, hippos, horses and antelopes roamed there. Some ate leaves, some ate grass - and the imprint of that diet is clearly visible on their teeth.

About 2 to 3 million years ago, the environment of this region gradually began to change. The forests decreased and grasslands and savannas took their place. As a result, the structure of the animals' bodies and teeth changed. Some animals developed strong teeth especially suitable for eating grass.

Similarly, information about the lifestyle of the primitive human species Australopithecus afarensis was also found in the analysis of their teeth. The study showed that they mainly lived by eating fruits and leaves. Grass was not very much in their diet.

According to scientists, along with the change in the environment, eating habits and lifestyle also changed. By analyzing this detailed information from the teeth, it is possible to understand the important stages of human evolution in a new way.

This research proves that dental fossils are an invaluable source of information for understanding the history of the Earth millions of years ago, bringing to the fore the lost world of the past.