9 Sept 2011

Missing Link

Scientists in South Africa believe a two million-year-old creature could be the "missing link" between apes and humans. The fossilised skeletons of a female and child, known as Australopithecus sediba, were discovered in the Malapa caves near Johannesburg in 2009.

missing link

Professor Lee Berger who led the team that found Au. sediba, said: "The fossils demonstrate a surprisingly advanced small brain, a very evolved hand with a long thumb like humans, a very modern pelvis, but a foot and ankle shape never seen in any hominin species that combines features of both apes and humans in one anatomical package."

Sky News