Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Femoral Fragment of a Robust Australopithecine from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania

Nature volume 221, pages 230–233 (1969)Cite this article

Abstract

This fossil femur from Olduvai confirms that the larger or robust australopithecines lived in both East and South Africa during the Pleistocene. This specimen and femora from Swartkrans in South Africa are very similar anatomically, suggesting similar locomotor characters for the two species. Some inferences can be made as to the gait and stance of these australopithecines.

Access through your institution
Buy or subscribe

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Access through your institution

Buy this article

  • Purchase on SpringerLink
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Napier, J. R., Arch. Biol. Liège, 75, Suppl. 673 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Broom, R., Robinson, J. T., and Schepers, G. W. H., Trans. Mus. Mem., 4 (1950).

  3. Tobias, P. V., Olduvai Gorge: The Cranium of Australopithecus (Zinjanthropus) boisei (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1967).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  4. Koch, J. C., Amer. J. Anat., 21, 117 (1917).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Basmajian, J. V., in Biomechanical Studies of the Musculo-skeletal ystem (edit. by Evans, F. G.) (Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1961).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Williams, M., and Lissner, H. R., Biomechanics of Human Motion (Saunders, Philadelphia, 1962).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Snell, C. A. R. D., and Donhuysen, H. W. A., Amer. J. Phys. Anthrop., 28, 239 (1968).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Frazer, J. E., The Anatomy of the Human Skeleton, sixth ed. (edit. by Breathnach, A. S.) (Churchill, London, 1965).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kelton, I. W., and Wright, R. D., Austral. J. Exp. Biol. Med. Sci., 27, 505 (1949).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Williams, J. F., and Svensson, N. L., Bio-Med. Engin., 3, 365 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Joseph, J., Man's Posture (Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1960).

    Google Scholar 

  12. le Gros Clark, W. E., and Leakey, L. S. B., The Miocene Hominoidea of East Africa, Fossil Mammals of Africa No. 1 (British Museum (Nat. Hist.), London, 1951).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London

    M. H. DAY

Authors
  1. M. H. DAY
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

DAY, M. Femoral Fragment of a Robust Australopithecine from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Nature 221, 230–233 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/221230a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/221230a0

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing