Australopithecus

Australopithecus - ancestor of man?

The Australopithecines are an extinct genus of hominids. The name derives from the location (South Africa) of the first fossil of this genus (Latin australis for "south" and Greek pithekos = "monkey"). The fossil, known as the Taung Kid, was discovered in 1924 in a quarry near the South African city of Taung. Meanwhile, more than a dozen finds have been made in Africa, of which the majority in East Africa.

A group of Australopithecines

The Australopithecus lived in the Pliocene 4 to 2 million years ago. With a size of about 1.2m and a weight of 35kg, he belonged to the smallest genus of hominids. It is considered probable that Australopithecines produced the genus Homo, probably by anagenesis. With a brain volume of 450 - 550 cm³, the brain corresponded to about one third of the brain size of today's Homo sapiens.

The anatomy of Australopithecus suggests at least a temporary locomotion on two legs. Because of the primary habitat in the forest and on trees, however, the upright walk can hardly have been a time stable alternative. From the fossil finds one knows that the Australopithicinen predominantly in forests and near rivers lived. Therefore, locomotion on all fours in Australopithecines may have been the preferred choice.
Furthermore, wear of the teeth for a predominantly plant-based diet speak of leaves, roots, fruits and nuts. A possible use of tools could not be definitively proven on the basis of the found fossils.

However, it is extremely difficult to reconstruct Australopithecus' exact way of life, as fossil finds are extremely rare on the one hand, and virtually no complete skeleton was found on the other hand. Conclusions on the lifestyle refer to a few pieces of bone or bone fragments. Also, the 1974 discovered partial skeleton of an Australopithecus afarensis named 'Lucy', consisted of less than 40% of the original skeleton. Nevertheless, this was one of the most media-effective finds ever, just because of its relatively good state of preservation and the amount of bone.

The different types of Australopithecines

 A. anamensis: 4.2 - 3.9 million years, East Africa, at least 40+ finds
 A. afarensis: 3.8 - 2.9 million years, East Africa, at least seven finds
 A. africanus: 3.0 - 2.1 million years, South Africa, at least four finds
 A. bahrelghazali: 3.5 - 3.0 million years, Central Africa, at least one find
 A. garhi: 2.5 - 2.2 million years, East Africa, at least one find
 A. sediba: 2.0 - 1.8 million years, South Africa, at least two finds

Characteristics: Australopithecus

Genus: Australopithecus
Name: lat. 'Australis' = south; Greek 'pithekos' = monkey
First found: 1924 in Taung (South Africa)
Period: 4 - 2 million years (Pliocene)
Body size: about 1.1m - 1.4m
Weight: about 30 - 40kg
Species: A. anamensis, A. afarensis, A. africanus, A. bahrelghazali, A. garhi, A. sediba
Distribution: East Africa to South Africa
Brain volume: 450 - 550cm³
Food: mostly vegetable food
Tool use: not yet proven
Upright gear: Yes, but only temporarily

Summary

The extinct Australopithecine species lived in Central Africa, East Africa and South Africa 4 to 2 million years ago.

The Australopithecines the genus Homo emerges, is considered probable.

Australopithecines probably ruled the upright gait, though not over long periods.