STS 14
Encyclopedia
STS 14 is a fossil
ized pelvis
, vertebral column
and fragmentary rib
and femur
of the species
Australopithecus africanus
. It was discovered at Sterkfontein
, South Africa by Robert Broom
in August 1947.
It is estimated to be 2.6-2.8 million years old.
Its characteristics are a distinctly human-like shape of pelvic blades, unlike any other animal. The shape indicates a type of bipedalism. This find was the first ever to demonstrate, without a doubt, pre-Homo bipedality.
Some scientists have proposed that STS 14 may have come from the same individual as STS 5 (considered, however, to be 2.15 million years old).
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
ized pelvis
Pelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
, vertebral column
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
and fragmentary rib
Rib
In vertebrate anatomy, ribs are the long curved bones which form the rib cage. In most vertebrates, ribs surround the chest, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the chest cavity. They serve to protect the lungs, heart, and other internal organs of the thorax...
and femur
Femur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
of the species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
Australopithecus africanus
Australopithecus africanus
Australopithecus africanus was an early hominid, an australopithecine, who lived between 2–3 million years ago in the Pliocene. In common with the older Australopithecus afarensis, A. africanus was slenderly built, or gracile, and was thought to have been a direct ancestor of modern humans. Fossil...
. It was discovered at Sterkfontein
Sterkfontein
-References:-References:-References:: : : :...
, South Africa by Robert Broom
Robert Broom
Professor Robert Broom was a Scottish South African doctor and paleontologist. He qualified as a medical practitioner in 1895 and received his DSc in 1905 from the University of Glasgow...
in August 1947.
It is estimated to be 2.6-2.8 million years old.
Its characteristics are a distinctly human-like shape of pelvic blades, unlike any other animal. The shape indicates a type of bipedalism. This find was the first ever to demonstrate, without a doubt, pre-Homo bipedality.
Some scientists have proposed that STS 14 may have come from the same individual as STS 5 (considered, however, to be 2.15 million years old).
See also
- List of human fossils
- List of fossil sites (with link directory)
- List of hominina (hominid) fossils (with images)