Part 5/15:
In the landscape of fossil discoveries, Ardipithecus ramidus stands out as one of the oldest and most complete skeletons, dated to approximately 4.4 million years ago. Other fossil remains from this period are either fragmentary or represented only by teeth or isolated bones, making Ardipithecus a rare treasure—sometimes called a “fossil jackpot.”
What makes it even more intriguing is its anatomical features, which challenge previous assumptions about early human ancestors:
- Bipedal but Still Tree-Climbing: Despite its ancient age, Ardipithecus shows signs of upright walking, with limb proportions more akin to later bipeds than to quadrupedal apes. Notably, it had longer legs than arms, favoring bipedal locomotion, yet retained an opposable toe useful for climbing trees.