New fossils of Australopithecus anamensis
An international research group led by anthropologist Tim White from the University of California at Berkeley has discovered new fossils of the hominid species Australopithecus anamensis in Ethiopia. According to the researchers, the remains confirm the species as a direct ancestor of the species Australopithecus afarensis - which has become world famous under the name "Lucy".
Dating of fossils unearthed in the Middle Awash region gave them an age of 4.1 to 4.2 million years. The bones, including the largest canine tooth known to date and the oldest hominid femur, are believed to have belonged to at least eight individuals.
Australopithecus anamensis was first discovered in 1994. White assumes that the species originated from Ardipithecus ramidus and then developed relatively quickly into Australopithecus afarensis. In particular, the teeth, which are stronger than those of Ardipithecus, are evidence of a change in diet: The hominids could now also fall back on hard plant food such as tubers and roots.
The genus Australopithecus, which existed for three million years, is believed to be the ancestor of humans.
