Scientists reveal the most complete skeleton of a 3.6 million year old human anc

FOTHER-MUCKER

SCIENCEImage Source: Wits UniversityScientists reveal the most complete skeleton of a 3.6 million year old human ancestor ever foundMike Wehner @MikeWehner
December 6th, 2017 at 1:08 PM

Archaeologists have found many, many examples of ancient human ancestors over the past few centuries, and while most of the time the skeletal remains are at least identifiable, they’re rarely complete. In a remarkable reveal by researchers scouring South Africa, the most complete example of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years has been found, and by “older” I mean a lot older.

The skeleton — which has been nicknamed “Little Foot” by its discoverer, Professor Ron Clarke of the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa — is thought to be a whopping 3.6 million years old. That makes it one of the oldest human ancestors found, while also being the most complete example of the link in the human evolutionary chain known as Australopithecus.

Portions of the fossilized skeleton were initially found way back in the mid 1990s by miners blasting into the area to gather lime. The bone fragments that were discovered in the rock led researchers into the cave in the hopes of finding additional fossil evidence, and by 1997 the team knew they had found something amazing. In the two decades since, archeologists have uncovered the entire skeleton, removed it from the Sterkfontein cave system, and prepared the well-preserved bones for their big debut, which took place today.

“This is one of the most remarkable fossil discoveries made in the history of human origins research and it is a privilege to unveil a finding of this importance today,” Clarke says. “The process required extremely careful excavation in the dark environment of the cave. Once the upward-facing surfaces of the skeleton’s bones were exposed, the breccia in which their undersides were still embedded had to be carefully undercut and removed in blocks for further cleaning in the lab at Sterkfontein.”

With two decades worth of study on the fossils, the team led by Clarke is preparing a series of scientific papers to reveal all the details. Those papers are expected to come over the course of the next year or so, but today’s announcement of the fossil’s existence is already enough to excite many. The finding will surely help to reinforce many of the theories of human evolution that pin Africa as the cradle of humanity.

http://bgr.com/2017/12/06/human-ancestor-australopithecus-little-foot-south-africa-skeleton/Tags: archaeology, history, humanity, nature

FOTHER-MUCKER

Rare skeleton shown of human ancestor, 3.6 million years old

By Associated Press

PUBLISHED: 13:51 GMT, 6 December 2017 | UPDATED: 15:27 GMT, 6 December 2017

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Researchers in South Africa have unveiled what they call "by far the most complete skeleton of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years ever found."

The University of the Witwatersrand displayed the virtually complete Australopithecus fossil on Wednesday.

The skeleton dates back 3.6 million years. Its discovery is expected to help researchers better understand the human ancestor's appearance and movement.

+8

A virtually complete Australopithecus fossil is displayed at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Researchers in South Africa have unveiled what they call "by far the most complete skeleton of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years ever found." (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

The researchers say it has taken 20 years to excavate, clean, reconstruct and analyze the fragile skeleton.

The skeleton, dubbed Little Foot, was discovered in the Sterkfontein caves, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Johannesburg when small foot bones were found in rock blasted by miners.

Professor Ron Clarke and his assistants found the fossils and spent years to excavate, clean, analyze and reconstruct the skeleton.

The discovery is a source of pride for Africans, said Robert Blumenschine, chief scientist with the organization that funded the excavation, the Paleontological Scientific Trust (PAST).

"Not only is Africa the storehouse of the ancient fossil heritage for people the world over, it was also the wellspring of everything that makes us human, including our technological prowess, our artistic ability and our supreme intellect," said Blumenschine.

Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Witswatersrand, hailed the assembly of the full skeleton.

"This is a landmark achievement for the global scientific community and South Africa's heritage," said Habib. "It is through important discoveries like Little Foot that we obtain a glimpse into our past which helps us to better understand our common humanity."

+8

The virtually complete Australopithecus fossil "Little Foot" is displayed at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Researchers in South Africa have unveiled what they call "by far the most complete skeleton of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years ever found." (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

+8

The virtually complete Australopithecus fossil "Little Foot" is displayed at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Researchers in South Africa have unveiled what they call "by far the most complete skeleton of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years ever found." (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

+8

Ron Clarke, a professor from the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand, center, unveils the virtually complete Australopithecus fossil "Little Foot" in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Researchers in South Africa have unveiled what they call "by far the most complete skeleton of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years ever found." (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

+8

Ron Clarke, a professor from the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand, center, speaks during the unveiling of a virtually complete Australopithecus fossil "Little Foot" in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Researchers in South Africa have unveiled what they call "by far the most complete skeleton of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years ever found." (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

+8

A virtually complete Australopithecus fossil is displayed at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Researchers in South Africa have unveiled what they call "by far the most complete skeleton of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years ever found." (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

+8

Ron Clarke, a professor from the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand, speaks during the unveiling of the virtually complete Australopithecus fossil "Little Foot" in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Researchers in South Africa have unveiled what they call "by far the most complete skeleton of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years ever found." (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

+8

Ron Clarke, a professor from the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand, speaks during the unveiling of the virtually complete Australopithecus fossil "Little Foot" in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Researchers in South Africa have unveiled what they call "by far the most complete skeleton of a human ancestor older than 1.5 million years ever found." (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-5151865/Rare-skeleton-shown-human-ancestor-3-6-million-years-old.html#ixzz50Wgxngwd
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

FOTHER-MUCKER

Macamana ni Dahulu manusia percaya universe ni hanya berusia 6000 tahun sahaja dan manusia
Percaya bahawa ancestor kata adalah nabi Adam  tetapi setelah Scientists menjumpai beberapa rangka “manusia” yang telah bermillion tahun ... nampaknya apa yang ada didalam BIBLE* itu adalah tidak benar!

Adakah kita masih perlu untuk mempercayai kitab bible!

Bible aja ke?
Btw ini adalah rangka manusia yang millions tahun most complete yang mana pernah di jumpai.

cecari

FOTHER-MUCKER replied at 7-12-2017 07:40 AM
Macamana ni Dahulu manusia percaya universe ni hanya berusia 6000 tahun sahaja dan manusia
Percaya ...

jumpa beruk claim manusia... hahaha

FOTHER-MUCKER

cecari replied at 6-12-2017 03:45 PM
jumpa beruk claim manusia... hahaha

Ye kerana manusia berasal dari beroooookkkk!

Dwdrum

cecari replied at 6-12-2017 03:45 PM
jumpa beruk claim manusia... hahaha

Lobai cecari mahu tanya sedikit ..... tuhan kah cipta setiap species binatang ? ....

hanakikan

kalau adam masih hidup, umur heols berapa ribu tahun ye skrg ni?

batmana

Teori evolusi tu terang2 failed psl byk lagi spesis beruk kt dunia ni..cth beruk2 kt zoo tu tumbesaran terbantut ke sbb tk ikut evolusi atau beruk2 zoo itu evolusi dari manusia?

Dh mcm planet of the ape lak

FOTHER-MUCKER

batmana replied at 6-12-2017 04:31 PM
Teori evolusi tu terang2 failed psl byk lagi spesis beruk kt dunia ni..cth beruk2 kt zoo tu tumbesar ...

Sebab itulah di panggil evolusi.

Jika bukan berivolusi semua manusia di dunia ni adalah sama sahaja, tetapi tidak, ada manusia yang berambut hitam, Brown, red, dan lain lain warna. Sama juga dengan warna kulit dan warna mata. cara pemakanan... cuaca dan persekitaran banyak merubah cara kehidupan dan rupa bentuk manusia.

cecari

FOTHER-MUCKER replied at 7-12-2017 07:54 AM
Ye kerana manusia berasal dari beroooookkkk!

ya spesis hang mmg beruk... huhu

cecari

Dwdrum replied at 7-12-2017 08:24 AM
Lobai cecari mahu tanya sedikit ..... tuhan kah cipta setiap species binatang ? ....

wah,,, hari ni ketemu beruk berforum

palmolive

berani tak balik kampung tanya org tua...tok, keturunan kita asal dari beruk ker?

Dwdrum

Tak kan itu saja lobai @cecari mampu jawab ... jangan memalukan golongan ulamak....

pokaibanktokyo

bukan manusia

FOTHER-MUCKER

cecari replied at 6-12-2017 04:54 PM
ya spesis hang mmg beruk... huhu

Sebenarnya saya tidak kisah jika manusia berasal dari beruk. Siapa yang kisah kerana ianya sudah berlaku jutaan tahun dahulu.

Btw...jika saya berasal dari beruk kamu juga berasal dari beruk kerana kamu juga adalah manusia seperti saya!

pokaibanktokyo

No big deal. Its not homo sapien

~anya~

Mengapa tengkorak kepala tu macam beruk saja?

FOTHER-MUCKER

Dwdrum replied at 6-12-2017 04:24 PM
Lobai cecari mahu tanya sedikit ..... tuhan kah cipta setiap species binatang ? ....

Kalau takda scientist mungkin lobai cecirit sampai sekarang masih percaya dunia ni hanya bermula semejak 6000 tahun dahulu je!

Itulah kadang kadang penterjemah bible* ni memang tak boleh pakai 100%!

Eh..takan bible sahaja?

FOTHER-MUCKER

~anya~ replied at 6-12-2017 05:09 PM
Mengapa tengkorak kepala tu macam beruk saja?

Kerana manusia berasal dari beruk!

~anya~

FOTHER-MUCKER replied at 7-12-2017 09:14 AM
Kerana manusia berasal dari beruk!

Cuba FM tengok jaw dia... how do you go about differentiating human and ape skeleton I wonder....