Paranthropus robustus first appeared about 1.8 million years ago and disappeared around 1 million
years ago. This species was first discovered and named by Dr. Robert Broom.
The fossil was initially found by Dr. Broom, who made a habit of buying
fossils from local quarry workers, on June 8th 1938. On this occasion Dr.
Broom purchased a maxillary fragment containing a first molar, that he
noticed was different than that of A. africanus. Dr. Broom, after noticing
the difference, looked into the location the fossil was found, Kromdraai,
and with this further investigation found several more cranial and mandibular
fragments that were associated with the original specimen.Paranthropus robustus lived mostly in eastern Africa. The first remains were found in the quarries of Kromdraai, South Africa. Later excavations revealed more fossils in Kromdraai, South Africa and Swartkrans, South Africa. P. robustus was noted to have a somewhat larger cranial capacity (450-530 cc) than earlier hominids and thicker jaws with larger molars and premolars but similar incisors. P. robustus also exhibited well-developed cranial crests and ridges to support heavier chewing action. This support may have been needed for the wider variety of nuts, roots, and seed that were included in the diet of P. robustus. P. robustus died out around 1 million years ago and is not ancestral to the Homo genus.