Feature Humans

Year in Review: New discoveries reshape debate over human ancestry

Relationships among early hominids disputed

Australopithecus sediba walked awkwardly on two legs and had a small brain, fossils discovered in 2013 revealed.

Courtesy of L. Berger/Univ. of the Witwatersrand

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

4

Human evolution appears poised for a scientific makeover, as unexpected and provocative findings have raised new questions this year about two poorly understood periods leading to the emergence of Homo sapiens.