“Ardipithecus Ramidus” Extends Human History

An ancient human-like creature that may be a direct ancestor to our species has been described by researchers. The assessment of the 4.4-million-year-old animal called Ardipithecus ramidus is reported in the journal Science.

The most important specimen is a partial skeleton of a female nicknamed “Ardi”. One of the lead scientists on the project, Professor Tim White from the University of California, Berkeley, said the investigation had been painstaking.   “This is not an ordinary fossil. It’s not a chimp. It’s not a human. It shows us what we used to be.” White stated.