Australopithecus africanus
(source of picture: Historical Geology)
Australopithecus africanus inhabited the earth roughly 3 - 1.6 million years
ago. The characteristic difference between the Ausrtalopithicus afarenis
and africanus is the height and brain capacity. The height of the africanus
is 1.4 m and the brain capacity is approximately 400 - 600 cc. Smaller incisor
teeth and a slightly flatter face are also noted. The afarensis has a height
of 1.2 m and a cranial capacity of 380 - 450 cc. Sticks, and stones were
most likely used to gather food by the Australopithecus africanus. (Wicander
and Monroe 1993)
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