The first members of the human lineage lack many features that distinguish us from other primates. Although it has been a difficult quest, we are closer than ever to knowing the mother of us all.

Ardipithecus ramidus is a female who lived 4.4 million years ago. Her skeleton has been described as one of the most important discoveries of the past century. Tim White 2009, From Science Oct. 2 ...

Ardipithecus ramidus may have walked upright. Other fossils discovered with A. ramidus suggest that the species lived in the forest. Exhibiting some chimp-like characteristics, A. anamensis' jaws ...