Who was the first hominin to not have a projecting canine?

The first hominin known to lack a projecting canine is Australopithecus afarensis, which lived around 3.9 to 2.9 million years ago. This species exhibited a more advanced dental morphology, reflecting dietary adaptations and social behaviors that differ from earlier primates. The change in canine size is significant as it suggests a shift towards reduced aggression and increased social complexity among early hominins.