Human Evolution

Human Evolution

Ardipithecus ramidus

This species was announced in September 1994.   It is thought to

be the oldest known hominid species.   It was dated at 4.4 million

years old.   The majority of the fossils found were skull fragments.

Other evidence suggests that this species was bipedal.   The

individuals were about four feet tall.   Some fossils found indicate

that ramidus may have been a forest dweller.   The teeth resemble

something between earlier apes and A. afarensis.   The fossils were

discovered by a team led by Tim White in Aramis Ethiopia.   The

find consists of 17 individuals.

Australopithecus anamensis

This species was named in August 1995.   The fossils were mostly

found in Kanapoi Kenya in 1988.   Anamensis is thought to have

existed between 4.2 and 3.9 million years ago.   The teeth and jaws

are very similar to those of older fossil apes.   A partial tibia

supports bipedality.   The first fossil of this species was found in

Kanapoi Kenya by Bryan Patterson.   The fossil was a lower left

humerous dated to be about 4.0 million years old.

Australopithecus afarensis

This species existed between 3.9 and 3.0 million years ago.   It had

an apelike face with a low forehead, a bony ridge over the eyes, a

flat nose, and no chin.   They had protruding jaws with large teeth.

The skull is similar to that of a chimpanzee except for more human

like teeth.   The canines of this species were smaller than those of

earlier apes but larger than humans.   Their pelvis and leg bones

left no doubt that they were bipedal.   They had similar hands to

humans and were about 3.5 to 5.0 feet tall.   Footprints of this

species were discovered in 1978 by Paul Abel at Laetoli in

Tanzania.   The estimated age is 3.7 million years old.

Australopithecus africanus

A. africanus lived between 3 and 2 million years ago.   Their body

sizes and brain sizes were slightly larger than afarensis.   The shape

of... [continues]

Read full essay