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Oldest Human Hair Discovered In Fossilized Poop

Posted by samzenpus on from the near-the-top-of-the-food-chain dept.

goran72 writes "A new study has suggested that strands discovered in fossil hyena poop found in a South African cave could be the oldest-known human hairs. According to a report in National Geographic News, researchers discovered the rock-hard hyena dung near the Sterkfontein caves, where many early human ancestor fossils have been found."

2 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Could be? by John+Hasler · · Score: 2, Interesting

    > Isn't this just speculation?

    Probably not. The microscopic structure of the hair of a given species is unique.

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  2. Re:Could be? by jd · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Well, the next question is whether these hairs are fossilized or actual. If actual, hair is remarkably good at preserving DNA. It may be possible to determine what primate the hairs belong to.

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    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)