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posted 22. April 2006 12:02
Source: National Science Foundation
Press Release 06-065
New Fossils Link “Ape-men” to More Primitive Ancestors
April 13, 2006
Paragraphs 1 and 4
A team of scientists working in an eastern Ethiopian desert has discovered fossil bones and teeth from individuals they believe link the genus Australopithecus--precursors of humans--to a decidedly more ape-like animal of the genus Ardipithicus. Because the fossils were found in areas known to contain evidence of both older and younger specimens, the scientists say evidence of when the three hominid types existed will provide valuable information about human evolution.
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The fossils are from the most-primitive Australopithecus species, known as Au. anamensis, dating from about 4.1 million years ago, said White, and push the species closer in time to its last known ancestor. "This new discovery closes the gap between the fully blown Australopithecines and earlier forms we call Ardipithecus," White said. "We now know where Australopithecus came from before 4 million years ago."
[ 22. April 2006, 12:04: Message edited by: ISCID News Editor ]
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