Human Family Values

Archaeologists in Kenya have discovered fossil footprints suggesting that two different human species trod the ground within a matter of hours or days. It seems that one was Paranthropus boisei, which is not a direct ancestor of Homo sapiens ipsedixit, and the other was Homo erectus, which is. The researchers have noted that the two species would have been aware of each other and would have recognised each other as different; but although Homo erectus is credited with the use of fire there is no suggestion that the tracks may indicate a witch-hunt. Instead, the researchers hypothesize a "close and tolerant proximity in time and space," apparently on the grounds that no group of human beings would ever wish to extirpate an Other except in the event of competition over resources.