LH 4
Hominin fossil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
LH 4 or Laetoli Hominid 4[1] is the catalogue number of a fossilized mandible which was discovered by Mary Leakey in 1974 from Laetoli, Tanzania.[2]
| |
| Catalog no. | LH 4 |
|---|---|
| Common name | Laetoli Hominid 4 |
| Species | Australopithecus afarensis |
| Age | 2.9–3.9 million years |
| Place discovered | Laetoli, Tanzania |
| Date discovered | 1974 |
| Discovered by | Mary Leakey |
Mary Leakey and her team, including Tim White,[3] found between 1974 and 1977 forty-two hominid teeth associated with a jawbone. One of them was LH-4, a fine specimen with nine teeth. White described the fossils, and LH-4 was assigned as the "name-bearer" of the new species Australopithecus afarensis by Don Johanson and White.[3]
Observations
The specimen is 2.9–3.9 million years old and is mandible of an adult Australopithecus afarensis with all molars present and a fairly large canine.[4][5] Most anterior teeth and rami are missing. But, the dental arcade is in a good condition with little or no evidence of distortion.[2]
