Damarensis

Damarensis is a genus of hominins that lived in Africa during the Middle Pleistocene epoch, approximately 1.8 million to 1.2 million years ago. The genus is named after the Damaraland region of Namibia, where the first fossils were discovered. Damarensis is characterized by its robust dentition and large body size, with some species reaching heights of up to 1.8 meters.

The genus includes two recognized species: Homo damarensis and Homo rudolfensis. Homo damarensis is the type species, known from fossils found in South Africa and Namibia. Homo rudolfensis is known from fossils found in Kenya and Tanzania. Both species are believed to have been adapted to a variety of environments, including savannas and woodlands.

Damarensis is significant in the study of human evolution because it represents an early stage in the evolution of Homo. The genus is thought to have evolved from earlier hominins, such as Australopithecus, and to have given rise to later Homo species, such as Homo habilis and Homo erectus. The fossil record of Damarensis provides important insights into the diversity and adaptability of early hominins.