Late-Stage Size Jump in Homo Rewrites Hominin Growth Story

A University of Reading-led analysis of 386 fossil specimens across 21 hominin species used phylogenetically informed models to test how body size evolved. Contrary to a simple, steady increase, the data point to a major size jump late in the genus Homo, with Homo ergaster/erectus reaching ~60 kg on average and aligning with other shifts like increased bipedality and carnivory. Small-bodied lineages such as Homo floresiensis and Homo naledi remain exceptions, and any gradual, across-the-board size rise is only moderately supported and sensitive to dataset and methods. The study highlights a mosaic pattern of body-size evolution rather than a single upward trend.