Sterkfontein skulls (IMAGE)

University of the Witwatersrand

Sterkfontein skulls

Caption

Four different Australopithecus crania that were found in the Sterkfontein caves, South Africa. The Sterkfontein cave fill containing this and other Australopithecus fossils was dated to 3.4 to 3.6 million years ago, far older than previously thought. The new date overturns the long-held concept that South African Australopithecus is a younger offshoot of East African Australopithecus afarensis.

Credit

Jason Heaton and Ronald Clarke, in cooperation with the Ditsong Museum of Natural History.

Usage Restrictions

No restrictions.

License

Public Domain

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