Catalog Number: | LH 4 |
Common Name: | Laetoli Hominid 4 |
Species: | Australopithecus afarensis |
Age: | 2.9–3.9 million years |
Place Discovered: | Laetoli, Tanzania |
Date Discovered: | 1974 |
Discovered By: | Mary 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]
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] Most anterior teeth and rami are missing. But, the dental arcade is in a good condition with little or no evidence of distortion.