Ardipithecus ramidus fossil hominin Ask Anything Homework Help Also known as: Australopithecus ramidus Written by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last updated Apr. 20, 2026 Quick Summary skeleton of âArdiâ Reconstructed frontal view of the skeleton of âArdi,â a specimen belonging to the early hominid species Ardipithecus ramidus. (more)
Ardipithecus ramidus, nicknamed "Ardi," is a partial female hominid skeleton discovered in Ethiopia and dated to 4.4 million years old. Considered by most scientists to be a very ancient hominid, Ardi exhibits a mix of traits. She had a small cranial cavity similar to a chimpanzee, long arms and fingers, and opposable big toes. Her pelvis and feet show characteristics of later bipedal hominids, suggesting she walked upright and lived in a woodland habitat. Ardi weighed about 50 kg (110 pounds) and stood 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) tall. The fossils found at Aramis indicate a woodland environment with diverse fauna and flora, suggesting Ardipithecus was an omnivore whose diet included fruits, nuts, and small animals.123
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Aramis4-million-year-old fossils of Ardipithecus ramidus found in 1992 and named in 1994. Read More4-million-year-old fossils of Ardipithecus ramidus found in 1992 and named in 1994. Read MoreArdipithecus/ Anatomical featuresThe anatomy of Ar. ramidus is best understood by examining Ardi, the partial skeleton found at Aramis. This specimen preserves key details of the dentition, skull, forearm, pelvis, leg, and foot of a young adult female. Ardi presents a unique anatomical mosaic not previously observed in any other⦠Read MoreThe anatomy of Ar. ramidus is best understood by examining Ardi, the partial skeleton found at Aramis. This specimen preserves key details of the dentition, skull, forearm, pelvis, leg, and foot of a young adult female. Ardi presents a unique anatomical mosaic not previously observed in any other⦠Read MoreAustralopithecus2 mya), and Ar. ramidus (5.8â4.4 mya)âthat is, pre-Australopithecus species that are considered to be ancient humansâand one additional species of early human, Kenyanthropus platyops (3.5 mya). The first undisputed evidence of the genus Homoâthe genus that includes modern human beingsâappears as early as 2.8 mya, and some⦠Read More2 mya), and Ar. ramidus (5.8â4.4 mya)âthat is, pre-Australopithecus species that are considered to be ancient humansâand one additional species of early human, Kenyanthropus platyops (3.5 mya). The first undisputed evidence of the genus Homoâthe genus that includes modern human beingsâappears as early as 2.8 mya, and some⦠Read MoreAustralopithecus/ Ardipithecus kadabba and Ar. ramidusAr. ramidus, which was discovered in the middle Awash valley in 1992 at a site named Aramis, is known from a crushed and distorted partial skeleton. The skull is apelike with a tiny brainâ300â350 cc (18.3â21.4 cubic inches), which is equivalent to a brain weight⦠Read MoreAr. ramidus, which was discovered in the middle Awash valley in 1992 at a site named Aramis, is known from a crushed and distorted partial skeleton. The skull is apelike with a tiny brainâ300â350 cc (18.3â21.4 cubic inches), which is equivalent to a brain weight⦠Read MoreHomo sapiens/ Originâ¦a hominin of the species Ardipithecus ramidus from Aramis, Ethiopia, and the famous âLucy,â a hominin of the species Australopithecus afarensis from Hadar, Ethiopia. Ardiâs skeleton, which is more than 50 percent complete, dates to about 4.4 mya. The design of her Read Moreâ¦a hominin of the species Ardipithecus ramidus from Aramis, Ethiopia, and the famous âLucy,â a hominin of the species Australopithecus afarensis from Hadar, Ethiopia. Ardiâs skeleton, which is more than 50 percent complete, dates to about 4.4 mya. The design of her Read Morehuman evolution/ The fossil evidenceAr. ramidus (5.8â4.4 mya), a primate from Aramis, central Ethiopia, and one of the two fossil species of Ardipithecus, was also bipedal. In this case the evidence comes from the foramen magnum, the hole in the skull through which the spinal cord enters. In Ardipithecus⦠Read MoreAr. ramidus (5.8â4.4 mya), a primate from Aramis, central Ethiopia, and one of the two fossil species of Ardipithecus, was also bipedal. In this case the evidence comes from the foramen magnum, the hole in the skull through which the spinal cord enters. In Ardipithecus⦠Read Morehuman evolution/ Hominin habitatsIn central Ethiopia, Ar. ramidus is associated with faunal and floral remains indicating a woodland habitat. Later remains, in northern Ethiopia, indicate Au. afarensis inhabited a mosaic of riverine forest, lowland woodland, savanna, and dry bushland. In northern Kenya Au. anamensis lived in dry open woodland or bushland⦠Read MoreIn central Ethiopia, Ar. ramidus is associated with faunal and floral remains indicating a woodland habitat. Later remains, in northern Ethiopia, indicate Au. afarensis inhabited a mosaic of riverine forest, lowland woodland, savanna, and dry bushland. In northern Kenya Au. anamensis lived in dry open woodland or bushland⦠Read MoreTertiary Period/ Primates8 million years ago), and Ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 million years ago). Ardipithecus has an expanded tarsal region on each foot, and its foramen (the hole in the skull through which the spinal cord enters) is located centrally under the skull instead of at the rear of it. In addition, the⦠Read More8 million years ago), and Ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 million years ago). Ardipithecus has an expanded tarsal region on each foot, and its foramen (the hole in the skull through which the spinal cord enters) is located centrally under the skull instead of at the rear of it. In addition, the⦠Read Moreprimate/ Plioceneâ¦of the human line, with Ardipithecus ramidus at 4.4 million years ago in Ethiopia. Read Moreâ¦of the human line, with Ardipithecus ramidus at 4.4 million years ago in Ethiopia. Read More