The earliest fossil hominid, Ardipithecus
ramidus, is a recent discovery. It is dated at 4.4 million years ago. The remains are incomplete but enough is available
to suggest it was bipedal and about 4 feet tall. Other fossils were found with the ramidus fossil which would suggest that
ramidus was a forest dweller. A new skeleton was recently discovered which is about 45% complete. It is now being studied.
A new species, Australopithecus anamensis, was named
in 1995. It was found in Allia Bay in Kenya. Anamensis lived between 4.2 and 3.9 million years ago. Its body showed advanced
bipedal features, but the skull closely resembled the ancient apes.
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