Ororrin tugenensis
Jaw Fragments and Teeth Only - 6.1-5.8 Million Years Ago
This oldest hominin species is highly debated as to whether it actually belongs on the hominin family tree or whether it, in fact, precedes the branching of hominins and apes from their common ancestor. Very few fossil fragments have been discovered but, in addition to some limb bones, several teeth, and lower jaw fragments are known. They were found by the Kenya Palaeontology Expedition team led by Martin Pickford and Brigitte Senut in the Tugen Hills in Kenya in 2000. The genus means “original man” in the Tugen language. Given the fragmentary nature of these remains, little can be surmised other than that the teeth are primitive with thick enamel, and the canines are large and pointed. The limb bone fragments are inconclusive regarding bipedality.
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- Hominin Skulls - Select a Species
- Ardipithecus kadabba
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