Taung skull
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Taung skull
The original type specimen of Australopithecus africanus, known also as the Taung specimen, discovered in 1924 at a lime quarry near Taung in South Africa. It was described in 1925 by Raymond Dart, professor of anatomy at Witwatersrand University. The specimen was reassembled from the partial remains of a juvenile skull, and an endocast of the right half of the brain (background), formed by the petrification of sediments which filled the cranium after death. Darts claim that A. africanus was an ancestor of man was ridiculed until Robert Brooms discoveries in 1940 showed that the australopithecines were indeed hominids
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6370993
© JOHN READER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Ancestor Anthropology Australopithecus Africanus Bone Bones Dart Early Evolution Evolutionary Biology Fossil Fossil Man Hominid Hominids Missing Link Palaeoanthropology Paleoanthropology Type Palaeontology Raymond
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the Taung skull, which holds immense significance in the study of human evolution. Discovered in 1924 at a lime quarry near Taung, South Africa, this original type specimen of Australopithecus africanus was meticulously reassembled by Raymond Dart, a renowned professor of anatomy at Witwatersrand University. The photograph captures not only the partially preserved remains of a juvenile skull but also an endocast of the right half of its brain. This remarkable endocast formed through petrification of sediments that filled the cranium after death. Initially met with skepticism and ridicule, Dart's claim that A. africanus was an ancestor to humans gained credibility when Robert Broom made groundbreaking discoveries in 1940 confirming that these ancient creatures were indeed hominids. Within this image lies a testament to our shared origins and the fascinating journey our species has undertaken throughout time. It serves as a reminder that every bone tells a story – one that unravels mysteries about our past and sheds light on humanity's evolutionary path. As we delve into anthropology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology, this photograph stands as an emblematic representation of how scientific exploration can challenge preconceived notions and reshape our understanding of ourselves within the grand tapestry of life on Earth.
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