Paleoanthropology. Early Homo at 2.8 Ma from Ledi-Geraru, Afar, Ethiopia.

Authors :: Villmoare B
Kimbel WH
Seyoum C
Campisano CJ
DiMaggio EN
Rowan J
Braun DR
Arrowsmith JR
Reed KE
Source :: Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 2015 Mar 20; Vol. 347 (6228), pp. 1352-5. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Mar 04.
Publication Year :: 2015
Abstract: Our understanding of the origin of the genus Homo has been hampered by a limited fossil record in eastern Africa between 2.0 and 3.0 million years ago (Ma). Here we report the discovery of a partial hominin mandible with teeth from the Ledi-Geraru research area, Afar Regional State, Ethiopia, that establishes the presence of Homo at 2.80 to 2.75 Ma. This specimen combines primitive traits seen in early Australopithecus with derived morphology observed in later Homo, confirming that dentognathic departures from the australopith pattern occurred early in the Homo lineage. The Ledi-Geraru discovery has implications for hypotheses about the timing and place of origin of the genus Homo.<br /> (Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.)