Free Ardipithecus Ramidus And Its Role In History Essay Sample

The discovery of a partial skeleton of Ardipithecus ramidus in Africa is causing members of the scientific community to questions some of their previously held beliefs about our evolutionary past. First, this discovery questions the environment of these early hominids. Second was how the most recent common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees might have different characteristics than previously imagined.
The site where Ardipithecus ramidus consisted of more than just the partial skeleton of this early ancestor of man. Alongside the human remains were over six thousand fossilized remains of animals, insects, wood, and seeds. This paleontological record suggests that Africa during the time of Ardipithecus ramidus was an arboreal habitat, not the current savannah biome. This environment could help to explain some of the unique characteristics of Ardipithecus ramidus.
The significant finding of Ardipithecus ramidus is that this is the earliest known humanoid remains found and is the closest evolutionary being to our latest common ancestor with chimpanzees. This skeleton is significant for an opposable first digit on the foot which would have aided in the arboreal environment where they most likely lived. Ardipithecus ramidus also walked upright and had hands that were more like human hands than the ones developed in other knuckle-walkers like chimpanzees and gorillas. These developments have scientists question that our common ancestor with chimpanzees walked their hands and humans developed the ability to walk upright. Some scientists believe that chimpanzees developed the capacity to walk on their knuckles as they evolved.
As highlighted by the discovery of Ardipithecus ramidus, scientists have the remains of the earliest known humanoid and more evidence of human evolution. They are now starting to question the preconceived notion of what the common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees looked like and what type of environment existed in Africa over four million years ago.