Uraha Hill

Uraha Hill

▪ anthropological and archaeological site, Malawi
      a paleoanthropological site in northern Malawi (Malaŵi) known for the discovery of a jawbone of an ancient human (genus Homo) dating to 2.4 million years ago (mya). It is similar to specimens dating to between 1.9 and 1.8 mya from Koobi Fora, Kenya. The Uraha Hill specimen is one of the oldest occurrences of the genus Homo, and it fills the geographical gap between sites of East and South Africa.

      As part of the collection of fossils attributed to H. rudolfensis, the Uraha Hill jawbone takes its place in the centre of intense debate on the origin of the human genus. It is the earliest member attributed to H. rudolfensis, but precise dates are difficult to establish. Some experts prefer to include all the specimens referred to as H. rudolfensis into a morphologically diverse species of large-brained, small cheek-toothed hominins (members of the human lineage) called H. habilis (Homo habilis).

      No stone tools are known from the stratigraphic layer containing this specimen. Animal fossils found at the site reveal a pattern of habitat change between about 4 and 1.5 mya. Particularly noticeable is a shift beginning about 2.8 mya, when the climate became dryer and cooler. This drying trend intensified by about 2.5 mya, when grasslands became more extensive.

Henry McHenry IV
 

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Liste homininer Fossilien — Die folgenden Tabellen geben einen Überblick über einige bemerkenswerte Funde homininer Fossilien, die im Zusammenhang mit der Stammesgeschichte des Menschen und dem Prozess der Hominisation stehen. Da es tausende solcher Fossilien gibt, besteht… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Geschichte Malawis — Die Geschichte Malawis umfasst die Geschichte des Gebietes des afrikanischen Staates Malawi. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Geschichte bis 1859 2 Neuere Geschichte (ab 1859) 2.1 Europäische Entdeckung und Frühphase der Kolonisierung 1859–1891 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”