Fossilised Australopithecus skull discovery – in pictures

  • A research team collects samples at a dig-site around the caves in Sterkfontein, north-west of Johannesburg in South Africa. All photos by AFP
    A research team collects samples at a dig-site around the caves in Sterkfontein, north-west of Johannesburg in South Africa. All photos by AFP
  • The area is also known as the ‘Cradle of Humankind’ and home to the historical discovery site of Australopithecus pre-human skeletal remains.
    The area is also known as the ‘Cradle of Humankind’ and home to the historical discovery site of Australopithecus pre-human skeletal remains.
  • In 1947, a fossilised Australopithecus skull was discovered at Sterkfontein, initially estimated to be between 2.1 million and 2.6 million years old.
    In 1947, a fossilised Australopithecus skull was discovered at Sterkfontein, initially estimated to be between 2.1 million and 2.6 million years old.
  • But new analysis from an international team of researchers has re-evaluated the age of these findings to between 3.4 million and 3.6 million years.
    But new analysis from an international team of researchers has re-evaluated the age of these findings to between 3.4 million and 3.6 million years.
  • Australopithecus is a genus of early ‘southern apes’ that existed in Africa during the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene.
    Australopithecus is a genus of early ‘southern apes’ that existed in Africa during the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene.
  • The French National Centre for scientific Research played a major role in the reassessment.
    The French National Centre for scientific Research played a major role in the reassessment.