human fossils
Prehistoric skeletal evidence
Human fossils are the preserved remains of ancient humans and their evolutionary ancestors—bones, teeth, and occasionally traces like footprints that have mineralized over thousands or millions of years.
The term typically refers to specimens from extinct species in the human lineage: The human fossils at Olduvai Gorge changed our understanding of evolution.
Scientists study human fossils to reconstruct the physical characteristics, behaviors, and migrations of early hominins.
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- bone fragmentsBroken pieces of skeleton
- excavationAct of unearthing
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
missing link · prehistoric · Neanderthal · skull · archaeology · carbon dating · ancient · Lucy · sediment · cave · burial · burial site · hominid · jawbone · remains · extinction · evolution · dig
- human originsHomo sapiens, hominins, hominids, Cro-Magnon, Neanderthals
- human biologygenetics, DNA analysis, nutrition, Homo sapiens, physical traits
human fossilsliving tissue
Metabolically active cellular material
modern humans · living organisms · soft tissue · flesh and blood
human fossilscultural artifacts
Objects embodying human heritage
oral traditions · written records · stone tools · cave paintings · artifacts
human fossilsplant fossils
Mineralized remains of vegetation
dinosaur fossils · microfossils · marine fossils · insect fossils · trace fossils
human, humans, humane, humanly, humanity, humanities, humanize, humanized, humanizing