Australopithecus africanus
Secrets within the teeth of the first Homo fossils
New studies of the enamel-dentin junction show that early members of our genus may have been less distinctive than we think
![Closeup of three left mandibular molars with cracks and wear](/content/images/size/w1460/2024/01/sk-15-occlusal-view-web-banner-johnhawks.jpg)
All the hominins made tools
A study of associations between stone tool evidence and fossil hominin remains shows that a wide range of species made stone artifacts.
![Chimpanzee holding a stick wrapped around its hand and placing lips on the stick](/content/images/size/w1460/2023/12/chimpanzee-algae-fishing-tool-use-bossou-wikipedia-anup-shah.jpg)
Guide to Australopithecus species
These ancient human relatives include the first species with evidence of upright walking and running like humans. They represent more than a third of our evolutionary history.
![Five fossil skulls in three-quarter view looking toward the right](/content/images/size/w1460/2023/09/australopithecus-skulls-montage.jpg)
A critical look at the idea of Australopithecus prometheus
A historical perspective on a species name that was associated with fossils from Makapansgat, South Africa.
![Still from 2001: A Space Odyssey in which an ape is using a bone to bask a skeleton](/content/images/size/w1460/2022/01/kubrick-apeman-2001-1.jpg)