Australopithecus sediba

Meaning of the name

“Southern ape” sediba means ‘fountain’ or ‘wellspring’ in the seSotho language.

Discovery site

South Africa

Age

1.98–1.78 million years

Height and weight

1.2–1.5 m, 30–45 kg

Brain size

420–450 cm³ (smaller than in Homo, but larger than in older australopithecines)

Body characteristics

Mixture of primitive and modern features: Flat forehead, broad cheekbones, protruding jaw, relatively small brain, but more human facial features with a more graceful masticatory apparatus, funnel-shaped chest, long arms, curved fingers, long thumb, short legs, broad and short pelvis.

Teeth

Mixture of primitive and modern features: reduced canines, large molars. Nevertheless, smaller molars, narrower incisors and thinner enamel than in the other Australopithecus forms.

Habitat

Mixed habitat of open savannah and wooded areas.

Nutrition

Mainly plant-based (leaves, fruit, bark), possibly supplemented by animal food.

Tools

He may have used simple tools, although no evidence is directly associated with this species.

Best known find

On 15 August 2008, 9-year-old Matthew Berger stumbled across a stone containing a canine tooth and a fragment of a clavicle. His father, South African palaeoanthropologist Lee Rogers Berger, then began the excavation.
The first individual found was christened "Karabo", which means "answer" in Tswana, by 17-year-old Omphemetse Keepile from St Mary's School in Johannesburg as part of a naming competition. She chose this name because "the fossil represents a solution for understanding the origins of mankind".

Significance for evolution

Relatively small cheek and molars and the narrow face of Australopithecus sediba may indicate a change in diet. 

Features in the shoulder girdle indicate that Australopithecus sediba, despite its upright gait, was still well adapted to climbing and may have spent part of its life in the trees. 

Legs and feet indicate a previously unknown way of walking upright. With each step, Australopithecus sediba turned its foot inwards, concentrating its weight on the outer edge of the foot.
This mosaic of features would represent a bridge between the genera Australopithecus and Homo. Australopithecus sediba is one of the most fascinating fossil species, as it could close many gaps in human evolution.