Turkana Boy

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Turkana Boy

hominin fossil

Also known as: KNM-WT 15000, Strapping Youth

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July 16, 2026

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The "Turkana Boy" is a remarkably complete fossil skeleton of an early human ancestor, classified as Homo erectus or Homo ergaster. Discovered at Nariokotome on the western shore of Lake Turkana in Kenya, the skeleton dates to approximately 1.5 million years ago. This juvenile male, estimated to be 11 to 13 years old at the time of death, provides significant insights into the growth, development, and body proportions of this species. The Turkana Boy was already tall for his age and possessed anatomical features adapted for endurance running, similar to modern humans. The find is crucial for understanding human evolution, indicating that the basic human body plan was established by 1.5 million years ago.123

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Homo erectus
African fossils
…more complete skeleton named “Turkana Boy” (KNM-WT 15000) was found nearby at Nariokotome, a site on the northwestern shore of Lake Turkana. The remains of this juvenile male have provided much information about growth, development, and body proportions of an early member of the species.
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…more complete skeleton named “Turkana Boy” (KNM-WT 15000) was found nearby at Nariokotome, a site on the northwestern shore of Lake Turkana. The remains of this juvenile male have provided much information about growth, development, and body proportions of an early member of the species.
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Homo sapiens
The genus Homo
6-million-year-old skeleton named “Turkana Boy,” found at nearby Nariokotome. The nature of the association between the two finds is not yet completely evident, as even partial hominin skeletons are almost vanishingly rare as researchers delve deeper into the past to a time before the introduction of burial practices.…
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6-million-year-old skeleton named “Turkana Boy,” found at nearby Nariokotome. The nature of the association between the two finds is not yet completely evident, as even partial hominin skeletons are almost vanishingly rare as researchers delve deeper into the past to a time before the introduction of burial practices.…
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Koobi Fora
…an 11–13-year-old male called “Turkana Boy.” A 1.44-million-year-old jawbone ascribed to H. habilis and a 1.55-million-year-old skull belonging to H. erectus have been found east of Lake Turkana. These fossils suggest that H. habilis and H. erectus coexisted at this location for a time. Oldowan tools have been discovered…
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…an 11–13-year-old male called “Turkana Boy.” A 1.44-million-year-old jawbone ascribed to H. habilis and a 1.55-million-year-old skull belonging to H. erectus have been found east of Lake Turkana. These fossils suggest that H. habilis and H. erectus coexisted at this location for a time. Oldowan tools have been discovered…
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Nariokotome
…paleoanthropologists, is also called “Turkana Boy.” It is extraordinary in its completeness; only a humerus and the ends of the hands and feet are missing. The maturity of its teeth and limb bones correspond to those of an 11- to 13-year-old. The youth was already tall at this young…
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…paleoanthropologists, is also called “Turkana Boy.” It is extraordinary in its completeness; only a humerus and the ends of the hands and feet are missing. The maturity of its teeth and limb bones correspond to those of an 11- to 13-year-old. The youth was already tall at this young…
Read More