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Pliocene hominid partial mandible from Tabarin, Baringo, Kenya
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|January 1, 1987
Summary
A new hominid mandible fossil, Australopithecus afarensis, was discovered in Kenya
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- African Paleontology
- Hominid Evolution
Background:
- The Tugen Hills in Kenya contain rich fossil records spanning 14 to 4 million years ago.
- Previous hominoid fossil discoveries have been made in this region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a new hominid mandible fossil (KNM-TH 13150) from the Tabarin site.
- To determine the age and taxonomic classification of the fossil specimen.
Main Methods:
- Stratigraphic analysis of the Chemeron Formation.
- Isotopic dating of a tuff layer below the fossil horizon.
- Comparative morphological analysis of the mandible with known hominoid taxa.
Main Results:
- Isotopic dating indicates the fossil is between 4.96 and 5.25 million years old.
- Associated fauna suggests a minimum age of 4.15 million years.
- The mandible's morphology aligns with Australopithecus afarensis.
Conclusions:
- The Tabarin mandible represents a significant find for understanding early hominid diversity.
- The fossil provides further evidence for Australopithecus afarensis in East Africa.
- This discovery contributes to the broader understanding of human evolution in the Pliocene epoch.