Scientists have discovered and described in detail a new species of upright creatures that lived in Africa 4.4 million years ago. Found in Ethiopia, the remains of upright creatures of the species Ardipithecus ramidus serve as a long-awaited "missing link" in the chain of human evolution. They once again prove that modern apes and humans are two different branches of evolution
The sensational find was announced in a special issue of the reputable journal Science. It is reported that an international team of specialists found more than 110 bone fragments (they belonged to at least 36 individuals) and a well-preserved skeleton of a female individual - she was named Ardi.
Ardi weighed about 50 kg, and her height was 1.2 meters, according to RIA Novosti. Its skeleton is characterized by both primitive features characteristic of the common ancestors of humans and apes, and progressive signs that are found only in human ancestors.
Many of these traits are not found in today's great apes, so scientists can now say for sure that gorillas and chimpanzees are not human ancestors. They appeared in the course of an independent evolution of the line of primates, which separated from humans about 6 million years ago.
Having studied Ardi, scientists came to the conclusion that the common ancestor of humans and monkeys was still erect, while walking, he did not lean on his fists. He lived in tropical forests and skillfully climbed trees, but he could not hang on branches for a long time and jump from one branch to another, as chimpanzees do.
The structure of the skull and teeth of Ardipithecus ramidus says a lot about the diet and social life of these human ancestors. For example, it turned out that Ardi and her relatives were omnivores and ate fruits, nuts and young shoots. The brain of Ardipithecus ramidus was significantly smaller than that of Australopithecines and was similar in size to that of chimpanzees.
The study of the remains of animals and plants at the site of the excavation showed that Ardi's relatives lived in the forests. Previously, it was believed that upright walking arose as a result of the release of human ancestors to the open area.
Promotional video:
Until now, the most ancient human ancestor was considered Lucy - Australopithecus Afar, who lived about 3.2 million years ago. However, Ardi is over a million years older than her. Ardi, like Lucy, represents one of the early stages of independent primate evolution, which led to the emergence of first australopithecines and then humans.
Ardi - "missing link" and a blow to the theory of divine creation
The current find has become an important milestone in paleoanthropology. "In fact, the same notorious 'missing link' is described - ape-man or ape-man," explains Stanislav Drobyshevsky, an employee of the Anthropology Department of the Biological Faculty of Moscow State University. Until now, science has known either four-legged monkeys, or completely erect australopithecines and hominids, he notes.
The finds of individual bones of Ardipithecus ramidus were made a long time ago, the specialist recalled, and reports of the discovery of the skeleton have worried scientists for several years. However, only now have paleoanthropologists published a detailed description of these most valuable finds.
Ardi connects the features of monkeys and humans: “Hands to the knees, a skull with a small brain (smaller than that of a chimpanzee), a grasping big toe, but small fangs, the creature walked on two legs and at the same time climbed trees well, lived in forest-steppes and forests.
“An intermediate version is described, and it is described in the smallest details, so there can be no more doubts. The find fills a gap that has bored anthropologists and haunted creationists for so long. Without a doubt, this sensational work will become a classic for many years to come,”concluded the scientist.