A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective on the Age of Australopithecus in Southern Africa

摘要: This paper presents a review of, and new data concerning, the age of Australopithecus in southern Africa. Current dating suggests that Makapansgat Limeworks is oldest hominin deposit Africa, with africanus to between 3.0 2.6 Ma. The Taung Child A. fossil from most likely penecontemporary material Sterkfontein Member 4 estimated date 2.0 Ma, Sts 5 specimen around deposits Gladysvale are contemporaneous group an 2.4 potential second species Australopithecus, StW 573 Silberberg Grotto at Sterkfontein, dated 2.2 As such, contemporary fossils suggest two occurred ~2.6 Based on presence Equus Jacovec Cavern also <2.4 sediba-bearing Malapa 1.98 Ma three different occur South Africa 2.3 1.9 Given these dates, represents African being found temporally distinct groups sites, Makapansgat/Taung Sterkfontein/Gladysvale, sediba youngest ~1.98 However, if 53 as some have suggested, then this genus survives younger than 1.8 thus lasted for significant period time after last seen eastern (Australopithecus garhi ~2.5 Ma). indicates previously suggested earliest representatives Homo (~2.3 Ma) Paranthropus (2.7–2.5