Data from: Hominin fossils from Kromdraai and Drimolen inform Paranthropus robustus craniofacial ontogeny

Growth and development provide critical information about the evolutionary
history of early hominin adult morphology. Using fossils from the southern
African site of Kromdraai, we herein present the digital models of three
juvenile specimens that are especially valuable because they shed light on
how the distinct adult craniofacial characteristics of Paranthropus
robustus developed. We find significant differences in the development of
P. robustus and Australopithecus africanus. Additionally, some features of
the P. robustus specimens suggest that the iconic SK 54 juvenile calvaria
from the southern African site of Swartkrans is more likely an
early Homo specimen rather than Paranthropus. The results of this study
shed light on the evolutionary relationships between different early
hominin species and could help to identify the closest relative to the
Paranthropus/Homo clade.