* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Australopithecus sediba

Blobrana · L

The hominin Australopithecus sediba was a hodgepodge of simian and human-like features.

The two-million-year-old remains of a novel hominin discovered in August 2008 are an odd blend of features seen both in early humans and in the australopithecines presumed to have preceded them. A battery of six studies published today in Science scrutinises the fossils of Australopithecus sediba from head to heel and yields unprecedented insight into how the creature walked, chewed and moved. Together, the studies suggest that this hominin was close to the family tree of early humans - although it remains controversial whether it was one of our direct ancestors.
Read more

Blobrana · L

Early human ancestor chewed bark

An early relative of humans chewed on bark and leaves, according to fossil evidence.
Analysis of food trapped in the teeth of the two-million-year-old "southern ape" suggests it existed on a unique diet of forest fruits and other woodland plants.
Read more

Blobrana · L

Palaeontologist Answers Reader Questions about New Early Human Fossils

Q: Was Australopithecus sediba Polygamous?
A: We don't know

Blobrana · L

Oxford University Museum of Natural History has been presented with casts of the skull and hand of Australopithecus sediba, a 1.9 million year old hominid species.
Professor Ian Walmsley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research, Academic Services and Collections), and Professor Sue Iversen, acting director of the museum, received the casts from Professor Loyiso Nongxa, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Wi****ersrand (Johannesburg) in a ceremony and lunch at St John's College.
Read more

Blobrana · L

'Human ancestor' replicas arrive in London

It is currently the hottest topic in palaeoanthropology, and visitors to London's Natural History Museum can now get to see what all the fuss is about.
The institution has just taken delivery of casts of Australopithecus sediba.
This 1.9-million-year-old creature caused a sensation when the discovery of its fossil remains in South Africa was first announced in 2010.
Read more

Blobrana · L

Fossil discovery could be our oldest human ancestor

Dr Robyn Pickering discusses research that has confirmed the age of our possible oldest direct human ancestor at 1.98 million years old.
Read more

Blobrana · L

Two 1.9-million-year-old fossils, from a species known as Australopithecus sediba, suggest creatures with anatomy and capabilities more advanced than other species from the same time, making them more likely ancestors for H. erectus.
See more

Blobrana · L

Australopithecus sediba May Have Paved the Way for Homo

Researchers have revealed new details about the brain, pelvis, hands, and feet of Australopithecus sediba, a primitive hominin that existed around the same time early Homo species first began to appear on Earth. The new Au. sediba findings, unearthed in Malapa, South Africa, make it clear that this ancient relative displayed both primitive characteristics as well as more modern, human-like traits.
Due to the "mosaic" nature of the hominin's features, researchers are now suggesting that Au. sediba is the best candidate for an ancestor to the Homo genus.
Read more