Top 10 Oldest Known Human Fossils

The Java Man fossil was discovered in 1891 by British colonial officer Ralph Griffiths in Trinil, Indonesia. This significant find marked the beginning of human paleontology research in Southeast Asia. The Java Man fossil is estimated to be around 700,000 years old and consists of a nearly complete skull with some dental remains. Notably, the discovery sparked debate among scientists regarding human evolution theories.

Located in Chad, the Toumaï fossil was discovered in 1983 by French paleontologist Michel Brunet. This early human ancestor is estimated to be around 7 million years old and consists of several fragments found in sediments from the Chad Basin. The study of Toumaï has provided insights into human evolution's early stages, particularly its connection to other great apes. The fossil was initially named Sahelanthropus tchadensis.

In 1974, paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson discovered the famous 'Lucy' fossil in Hadar, Ethiopia. She is estimated to be around 3.2 million years old and consists of nearly complete skeleton found in the Olduvai Gorge region. Lucy's discovery has greatly contributed to our understanding of human evolution from early hominids. Her age makes her a significant figure in the field of paleoanthropology.

This important fossil was discovered in 1992 by paleontologist Tim White in Hadar, Ethiopia. Estimated to be around 4.4 million years old, it consists of several remains including teeth and jawbones. The discovery helped clarify the evolution pathway from more ancient hominins to early human ancestors like Australopithecus. It was once considered one of the earliest known human-like species.

Found in Kenya's Koobi Fora region, the Orrorin tugenensis fossil is dated around 6 million years old. The name 'Orrorin' means "man with great teeth," reflecting its unique dental features. This early hominin was discovered in 2000 by a team of paleontologists who found several jaw bones and some limb remains at the Tugen Hill site.

This genus consists of human-like fossils dated from around 5 to 6 million years ago, primarily found in Africa. One notable discovery is that of 'Ardi,' whose name stands for "Ardipithecus ramidus ida." Ida's fossil features a mix of characteristics between earlier and later hominin species, making her an interesting subject for study on human evolution.

Discovered in 2001 by French paleontologist Michel Brunet, this early human ancestor is estimated to be around 7 million years old. The initial finding included a unique mix of reptilian and mammalian characteristics. However, the discovery's validity has faced scrutiny as some researchers questioned its classification.

This rare fossil was discovered in Ethiopia by a team led by paleontologist Zelma Bona Kassa in 2015. Estimated to be around 3.4 million years old, it consists of several limb bones and jaw remains from the region known as Dikko Formation. The Makaapalai is considered one of Africa's oldest human ancestors.

Discovered in Ethiopia in 1996 by a team led by paleontologist Tim White, this early hominin fossil is dated around 4.4 million years old. It consists of teeth and jawbones found in the Dikko Formation region near Hadar. This find has contributed to understanding human evolution's key stages.

Following debate and reassessment, this early human ancestor is now classified under two separate designations: Sahelanthropus tchadensis for the original 2002 discovery and Parahomino sapiens for an even earlier find. Located in Chad, both the 'original' Toumaï fossil from 1983 and a second site discovered later have shed light on early human evolution's pace in Africa.