FOSSIL JAWBONE FOUND
JOHANNESBURG (JUNE 20, 2002) - A fossil jawbone of a hominoid ape, believed to be between 12 million and 15 million years old, has been found in Namibia's Otavi mountains, American anthropologist Glenn Conroy said here Thursday. In a statement, Mr. Conroy said the jawbone was found by French paleontologist Dr. Martin Pickford on June 4 2002 within minutes of the start of a search of the northern mountains by an international team of scientists. The jawbone, which had three molars intact, is older than anything so far found in southern Africa. It is from the period before the branching off of Africa's two apes, chimpanzee and gorilla, and the man-apes of South Africa which are believed to have evolved into modern man. Mr. Conroy, of the Washington University of Missouri and head of the expedition, said the jawbone was that of a fully developed animal. The fossil showed no sign of having been gnawed by hyenas or porcupines and the most logical explanation was that the animal died of natural causes and then fell into a sinkhole where animals could not reach it, he said. The jaw was apparently exposed for a time before being totally buried by sand and rocks. No other parts of the skeleton were found.
