In October 2009, a group of scientists published a complete study of the oldest skeleton of a human ancestor. Ardi, 4.4 million years old, reinforces other scientific research that already stated that humans and chimpanzees are descendants of a common ancestor that gave rise to these different species. Although this is not the common ancestor, the investigation of this rich fossil presents a curious universe of information about the process of evolution of primates.
O Ardipithecus ramidus (Scientific name for Ardi) has characteristics that lead us to believe that he lived in forest environments and could climb trees. However, unlike current chimpanzees, this experience among the branches was quite limited. Most of the time, the Ardipithecus he walked on solid ground and already had an upright posture. Through these data, we can see that the evolutionary process of men and apes was distinct, but not radically opposed.
In this “half man and half ape” condition, Ardi had small and thick upper canines, which were more distinct from the sharp and large canines of chimpanzees. Even having flexible fingers that allowed him to jump between the trees, his body did not have other anatomical devices that allowed him to move for a long period of time. In this way, its transport between the trees was ephemeral and was conditioned to a small set of situations.
From a social point of view, scientists believe that they lived in couples, with the male fulfilling the task of obtaining and sharing food (fruits, mushrooms and small invertebrates) with the females. These, in turn, should take care of the offspring and guarantee the protection of the most fragile members of the family nucleus. Although the brain assumes a dimension close to that of chimpanzees, Ardi had a branch of nerves and blood vessels that increased its visual and spatial perception.
In addition to bringing new information about human evolution, this research also overturns ancient myths surrounding the evolutionary process of apes. Contrary to popular belief, the chimpanzee would not be just a type of primate that stopped in time and, therefore, would be an animal with remote features. By pitting Ardi against contemporary chimpanzees, these scientists found that the evolution of apes was also extensive and complex.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Brazil School Team
Origin of Man - Prehistory - General history - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiag/ardi-mais-novo-elo-corrente.htm