Biology:LH 4

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Short description: Hominin fossil
Laetoli Hominid 4
LH 4 Replica 03.jpg
Catalog no.LH 4
Common nameLaetoli Hominid 4
SpeciesAustralopithecus afarensis
Age2.9–3.9 million years
Place discoveredLaetoli, Tanzania
Date discovered1974
Discovered byMary Leakey

LH 4 or Laetoli Hominid 4[1] is the catalogue number of a fossilized mandible which was discovered by Mary Leakey in 1974 from Laetoli, Tanzania.[2]

Mary Leakey and her team, including Tim White,[3] found between 1974 and 1977 forty-two hominid teeth associated with a jawbone. One of them was LH-4, a fine specimen with nine teeth. White described the fossils, and LH-4 was assigned as the "name-bearer" of the new species by Don Johanson and White.[3]

Observations

The specimen is 2.9–3.9 million years old and is mandible of an adult Australopithecus afarensis with all molars present and a fairly large canine.[4][5] Most anterior teeth and rami are missing. But, the dental arcade is in a good condition with little or no evidence of distortion.[2]

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