Evolution: Humans: Origins of Humankind

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Australopithecus africanus (3 to 2 million years ago)

Species Description:

Australopithecus africanus was nearly identical in bodyand brain size to A. afarensis. Like A. afarensis, A. africanusalso showed marked differences in size between males and females. Although the teethand jaws of A. africanus were much larger than modern human teeth, they arestill more similar to ours than to the teeth of apes. The upper and lower jaws of A. africanus were also fully rounded in front, like those of modern humans,and their canine teeth were smaller on average than those of A. afarensis. Australopithecus africanus individuals probably inhabited open woodlands,where they would have foraged for fruits, seeds, and roots.

Fossil Finds:

Taung Child
Estimated age: 3 to 2 million years
Date of discovery: 1924
Location: Taung, South Africa

Collected by workers in a lime quarry, this was the first Australopithecus fossil ever discovered. The scientific communityinitially rejected the identification of this partial skull, saying that itwas some sort of extinct ape species rather than an early form of hominid.

Mrs. Ples
Estimated age: 3 to 2 million years
Date of discovery: 1947
Location: Sterkfontein, South Africa

This adult cranium, most likely from a female A.africanus, is the best specimen of the species discovered so far.

STS 14

STS 14
Estimated age: 3 to 2 million years
Date of discovery: 1947
Location: Sterkfontein, South Africa

These remains of a small adult female include a nearlycomplete vertebral column, a pelvis, some rib fragments, and part of a femur.The pelvis is far more humanlike than apelike and is strong evidence that A. africanus was bipedal.

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