Your textbook focused on East African fossils. In this Exploration, examine the South African hominin finds. Learn about fossil sites, read about the two main species, and view important specimens. Write an essay about problems in the fossil record.

South African Fossil Sites

Makapansgat

http://home.insight.rr.com/jkmckee/makapan.htm

Taung

http://home.insight.rr.com/jkmckee/taung.htm

South African Hominid Sites—Dating Issues

http://www.williams.edu/Chemistry/askinner/Website/SouthAfrica/SouthAfricanHomindSites.htm

South African Fossil Hominid Species

Australopithecus africanus

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/afri.html

Paranthropus robustus

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/rob.htm

Think about: What are some current controversies about the South African hominin fossils?

Fossil Specimens

Australopithecus africanus

Paranthropus robustus

1			In what way is A. africanus an enigma to scientists? What are the unanswered questions about the species?