Home » Human Evolution Evidence » Human Fossils » Fossils » BAR 1002'00

BAR 1002'00

 
Mystery Skull Interactive
Skull visual

When scientists discover a fossil skull, they compare it to skulls that have already been identified as particular early human species. Now you get to be the scientist!

View the Full Content >>
3D Collection
3D Skull visual

Explore our 3D collection of fossils and artifacts: view, rotate, and explore hundreds of 3D scans!

View the Full Content >>
Walking Upright

The earliest humans climbed trees and walked on the ground.

View the Full Content >>
BAR 1002'00
Exhibit item
Site: 
Tugen Hills, Kenya
Date of discovery: 
2001
Discovered by: 
A team led by Brigitte Senut and Martin Pickford
Age: 
About 6 million years old
Species: 
Orrorin tugenensis

Beginning to walking upright on short legs

The upper part of this thigh bone (femur) is similar in size to those of other large apes. But the angled part more closely resembles that of modern humans. It formed a strong bridge with the hip to support the body’s weight, suggesting Orrorin tugenensis walked upright.

Image of BAR 1002'00, femur
Image Credit: Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution