Scientists have uncovered the oldest right-handed human. This newly discovered evidence was obtained from a Homo habilis specimen dating back to 1.8 million years ago.

A team from the University of Kansas set out to investigate the findings made at a site in the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, Africa. The new findings involve the anterior teeth of a Homo habilis jaw that features small lacerations and marks known as labial striations near the lip. Researchers call this human specimen, the OH-65.

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Apart from this, the team discovered cuts that formed marks and scars from the upper front teeth, slanting from left to right. This indicated that OH-65 used a special tool with its right hand to slice food while holding it down with its teeth and left hand to pull away from it.

This predates the Neanderthal human species and is also considered to be the first evidence of right-handedness in ancient humans. Researchers suggest that these distinct marks can also be found in early hominins.

 According to the lead author of the study, anthropology professor David Frayer from the University of Kansas, this suggests some interesting clues about the lateralization of the human brain. Homo habilis humans possess brain lateralization more similar to modern humans than primates, which my explain this key finding of right-handedness.

Frayer explains that handedness and language are both controlled by genetic systems. However, there is a weak relationship between the two functions due to the left side of the brain. Further research and studies can provide more important evidence about the origins of modern humans, especially in cortical reorganization and language capacity.

This new study was published in the Journal of Human Evolution.