World Atlas Core Records · Evolution

Ledi-Geraru

c. 2.8 million years ago · Ethiopia

A partial jaw from the Afar region is among the earliest fossils currently assigned to the genus Homo.

AI-generated evidence-guided visualization related to Ledi-Geraru, c. 2.8 million years ago.
AI-generated visualization based on the cited record and period context. It is not documentary evidence or an authenticated reconstruction of a single event.

How the setting appeared

A changing mosaic of river channels, open grassland and wooded patches supported many animal species. There was no settlement or built town.

Agent citation CIT-CORE-LEDI-GERARUCIT-CORE001-LEDI-GERARU-SCIENCE Setting and material context · 2 registered source URLs · registration is not semantic proof · audit HEM-AUDIT-20260812

How people lived

Small groups moved through the landscape, using detailed ecological knowledge to find water, plant foods and animal resources.

Agent citation CIT-CORE-LEDI-GERARUCIT-CORE001-LEDI-GERARU-SCIENCE Lifeways and community · 2 registered source URLs · registration is not semantic proof · audit HEM-AUDIT-20260812

How people worked

No tool was found with the jaw itself; nearby regional evidence helps frame, but cannot prove, early stone-tool behavior at this exact place.

Agent citation CIT-CORE-LEDI-GERARUCIT-CORE001-LEDI-GERARU-SCIENCE Work, tools and exchange · 2 registered source URLs · registration is not semantic proof · audit HEM-AUDIT-20260812

Belief, ritual and worship

No evidence allows a secure reconstruction of beliefs or ritual practice.

Agent citation CIT-CORE-LEDI-GERARUCIT-CORE001-LEDI-GERARU-SCIENCE Belief, ritual and evidence limits · 2 registered source URLs · registration is not semantic proof · audit HEM-AUDIT-20260812

Historical geography

A dated anchor, not an exact border

The local map uses modern coastlines only for orientation. The marker identifies this record's geographic anchor, not the full reach of a community or polity.

Map geometry loads only when requested. Modern outlines are orientation only; historical geography and identities changed through time.

Agent citation CIT-CORE-LEDI-GERARUCIT-CORE001-LEDI-GERARU-SCIENCE Historical-geography anchor and stated limits · 2 registered source URLs · registration is not semantic proof · audit HEM-AUDIT-20260812

Evidence register

Guides used for this record

Each registered source ID is paired with its institutional URL for independent checking. Source count is transparent, and duplicate URLs count only once.

CIT-CORE-LEDI-GERARU

Ledi-Geraru: record evidence guide

https://humanorigins.si.edu/research/whats-hot-human-origins/oldest-fossil-our-genus

humanorigins.si.edu

CIT-CORE001-LEDI-GERARU-SCIENCE

Early Homo at 2.8 Ma from Ledi-Geraru, Afar, Ethiopia

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaa1343

Science