Hadar, Ethiopia

Coordinates: 11°10′01″N 40°37′59″E / 11.167°N 40.633°E / 11.167; 40.633
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Hadar
Late Pliocene
Site notes
Excavation dates1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 2000
ArchaeologistsDonald Johanson
Maurice Taieb
Denis Geraads
Zeresenay Alemseged
ConditionExcavated
OwnershipEthiopian Government

Hadar or Hadar Formation (also spelled Qad daqar, Qadaqar;

kebele).[2]

It is situated on the southern edge of the Afar Triangle (part of East Africa's Great Rift Valley), along the left banks of the Awash River, between two minor tributaries, the eponymous Kada Hadar and the Kada Gona.[2] In 1972, Taieb organized a small exploratory reconnaissance of the Afar region to investigate more paleontological finds there. After six weeks of exploration, the party focused on the Hadar site.[3]

The site has yielded some of the most well-known

hominin fossils, including "Lucy
". These hominin fossils range in age from approximately 3.42 to 2.90 million years ago. These finds give us a greater understanding of hominin evolution during this period.

It is postulated that the specimens in the region were deposited by way of a large river system with associated crevasse channels/splays, deltas, and distributary channels, as well as periodic transgressions of paleolake Hadar located east of the research area (Aronson and Taieb, 1981, Tiercelin, 1986, Campisano and Feibel, in press) possibly related to geological activity or climatic cycles in at least the Kada Hadar Member (Yemane et al., 1996, Yemane, 1997, Campisano and Feibel, in press)."

According to Jon Kalb, early maps show caravan routes passing within 10 to 15 km of Hadar but not through it. The British explorer L.M. Nesbitt passed 15 km west of Hadar in 1928.[1]

Geology

Administrative Zone 1 (Afar Region), Ethiopia

The region's rocks consist mainly of

volcanic tuffs
. The region of Hadar has been divided into four geologic members — Basal (~3.8–3.42 Ma), Sidi Hakoma (~3.42–3.26 Ma), Denen Dora (~3.26–3.2 Ma), and Kada Hadar (<~3.2 Ma)—with three tuffs (Sidi Hakoma Tuff [SHT], Triple Tuff [TT] and Kada Hadar Tuff [KHT]) separating the four members.

The Sidi Hakoma member tends towards high rainfall and low seasonality. The overlying Denan Dora Member was a grassland habitat. Finally, the Kada Hadar Member was an even more open and arid habitat, as seen in the high abundance of antilopines, which frequent these types of terrains.[3]

Paleontology

The first paleo-geological explorations of the Hadar area were conducted by

Hadar Formation, which was dated to the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene epochs (3.5 to 2.3 million years ago).[5]

Discovery of Lucy

The anthropologist Donald Johanson, a member of the 1973 expedition to Hadar, returned the next year and discovered the fossil hominin "Lucy" in the late fall of 1974.[6] He spotted a right proximal ulna in a gully, followed by an occipital bone, a femur, some ribs, a pelvis, and a lower jaw. Within two weeks, nearly 40% of the hominoid skeleton had been identified and cataloged.[7] Lucy is the most famous fossil to have been found at Hadar. Lucy is among the oldest hominin fossils ever discovered[6] and was later given the taxonomic classification Australopithecus afarensis. (The name 'Lucy' was inspired by the song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by The Beatles, which happened to be playing on the radio at base camp.)

Specimens and inferences

In 1975, Donald Johanson made another discovery at a nearby site in Hadar: 216 specimens from approximately 17 individuals, most likely related and varying in age, called AL 333 (colloquially referred to as the "First Family").

About thirty years later in nearby Dikika, another Australopithecus afarensis fossil skeleton was found in a separate outcrop of the Hadar Formation across the Awash River from Hadar. The skeleton is of a three-year-old girl later named "Selam," which means peace in Amharic Ethiopian languages.

In 1973 and 1974 when the first anatomical discoveries were made, their size and shape pointed towards a variety of taxa, but further research has confirmed that only one hominin taxon is present here. The first find there was a fossil knee joint estimated to date from 3.4 million years ago. Since then, the Hadar research area has yielded 370 specimens of A. afarensis, one specimen of Homo, and 7571 additional vertebrate specimens.

The specimens recovered display a variety of different primitive cranial post features, which indicate A. afarensis is distinct from other species of Australopithecus: small cranial capacity, palate similar to African apes (parallel tooth rows, shallow, long from front to back, narrow from side to side), primitive occipital, basal cranium anatomy, high frequency of unicuspid third premolars, prognathic face, and primitive mandibular anatomy. Postcranially, the pelvis, knee, ankle, and foot indicate habitual, terrestrial bipedalism, but ape-like curved finger and foot bones are retained ancestral ape-like features.[3]

Paleofauna

According to the geological members of Hadar, the Awash River (top) and Omo Valley (bottom) biomes might resemble the Hadar paleoenvironment.

Other specimens discovered from the Hadar Formation contain a vast diversity of bovid species found in Africa. The bovids found in the formation included the Aepycerotini (Aepyceros),

Varanus, and Bitis).[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon
Ootaxon
Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Mammals

Artiodactyls

Bovidae
Bovids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Aepyceros A. datoadeni Kada Hadar Member at Hadar Near-complete skull lacking parts of horn cores (AL 787-1 KH1)[9] An impala
Beatragus B. sp. Detached braincase with two horn cores[9] A hirola
Budorcas B. churcheri[30] Sida Hakoma Member.[9] Complete skull with horns (AL 136-5 DD2)[9] An extinct takin
Damalops D. sidihakomai[31] Sidi Hakoma Member AL 208–7, a skull with horn cores, right P4–M3, and left M2–3. An extinct genus of Alcelaphinae
Damalborea
D. elisabethae
 		Basal and Sidi Hakoma members[9] A skull with horn cores (AL 208-07 SH3)[9] An extinct genus of Alcelaphinae
D. grayi Denen Dora and Kada Hadar members[9] Multiple postcranial fragments, such as horn cores, maxillae, and mandibles[9]
Gazella
 		G. harmonae Kada Hadar Member at Hadar[9] Skull remains, such as isolated teeth, maxillae, frontlets, and occipital bones (AL 444-16)[9] Extinct relatives of modern gazelles
G. cf. janenschi
 		Denen Dora Member Horn cores (AL 302-6 DD)[9]
G. cf. praethomsoni
 		Denen Dora and Kada Hadar members Few Horn core specimens[9]
Hippotragini
Praedamalis deturi
 		Kada Hadar, Sida Hakoma, and Denen Dora members at Hadar Multiple specimens based on horn cores and lower teeth[9] Ancestor of modern oryx
Kobus K. hadarensis Sidi Hakoma, Kada Hadar and Denen Dora member Extinct relatives of antelopes
K. oricornus Denen Dora and Kada Hadar members Several specimens of braincase and horn core[9]
Madoqua
 		M. sp.
Raphicerus R. sp. Kada Hadar and Sidi Hakoma members Mandibles and horn cores[9]
Parmularius P. pachyceras Sidi Hakoma and Kada Hadar members[9] Braincases and horn cores[9] Large extinct alcelphines related to topis and hartebeests
Pelorovis P. sp.
Tragelaphus T. lockwoodi Basal and Sidi Hakoma members Braincase with complete horn cores (AL 142-3 SH2)[9] Extinct relatives of spiral-horned antelopes
T. rastafari Basal, Sidi Hakoma, Denen Dora, and Kada Hadar members Several horn core specimens
Ugandax U. coryndonae Denen Dora and Sidi Hakoma members at Hadar Complete partial skull and horns (AL 194-1 DD1)[9] Ancestor of
Cape buffalo
Giraffidae
Giraffids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Giraffa
 		G. jumae Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members
 Partial teeth, vertebrae, ossicones, limb bones, and mandibles[24] Extinct relatives of modern giraffe
G. stillei Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members
 Partial teeth, ossicones, limb bones, and mandibles[24]
Sivatherium S. maurusium Denen Dora, Kada Hadar, and Sidi Hakoma members Partial mandibles and horns[24] Okapi-like giraffid
Hippopotamidae
Hippopotamids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Hexaprotodon H. protoamphibius Denen Dora Member Partial skull and teeth Extinct relatives of modern
pygmy hippo
H. coryndoni Sidi Hakoma Member[28] Partial skull and teeth
Hippopotamus H. afarensis Basal, Sidi Hakoma, Kada Hadar, and Denen Dora members[28] Complete postcranial skull and mandibles Extinct subspecies related to common hippopotamus, formally named Trilobophorus afarensis
Suidae
Suids of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Kolpochoerus K. afarensis Kada Hadar, Sidi Hakoma, and Denen Dora members[11] Postcranial skulls, teeth fragments, and mandibles Extinct relative of the pig family
Notochoerus N. eulius Kada Hadar, Lower and Upper Sidi Hakoma, and Denen Dora members[11] Postcranial skull, teeth, and mandibles A Tetraconodontinae pig.
Nyanzachoerus N. kanamensis Basal and Sidi Hakoma members[28] Complete cranium, mandibles, and dentition A Tetraconodontinae pig.
N. pattersoni Basal, Lower and Upper Sidi Hakoma, and Denen Dora members[11] Complete skulls, mandibles, and dentition[11]

Carnivorans

Canidae
Canids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Nyctereutes N. lockwoodi Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members at Dikika[23] Nearly complete skull (DIK-31-1)[32] A
raccoon dog
Felidae
Felids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Dinofelis D. aronoki Kada Hadar Member[12] Postcranial member: distal radius (AL-363-20)[12] A
machairodontine
felid
D. petteri Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members[12] Postcranial member: partial humerus (AL 168-30), proximal ulna (AL 262-9), and right astragalus (Al 173-11)[12]
Felis F. sp. Kada Hadar, Sidi Hakoma, and Denen Dora members A small cat relative
Homotherium H. hadarensis Denen Dora Member[23] Complete cranium skull, mandible fragments (DIK-96-1), teeth, and forelimbs[23] A machairodontine felid
Megantereon M. sp. Kada Hadar, Sidi Hakoma, and Denen Dora members A machairodontine felid
Leptailurus
 		L. sp. A serval cat
Panthera P. sp. Sidi Hakoma Member Relatives of
lions
Herpestidae
Herpestids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Herpestes H. sp. Dikika site Tooth fragments A mongoose
Hyaenidae
Hyaenids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Chasmaporthetes C. sp. Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members at Hadar[13] A hunting hyena
Crocuta C. dietrichi Sidi Dakoma , Denen Dora, and Basal members at Hadar[13] Fragmented mandibles (DIK-32-1)[23][13] Extinct relatives of modern hyena
C. eturono Kada Hadar Member Partial maxilla (DIK-73-1)[23]
Hyaena
 		H. sp.
Ikelohyaena I. abronia Sidi Hakoma Member at Hadar[13] Early member of the Parahyaena lineage and the earliest close relative of the modern striped hyena
Percrocuta P. sp.
Pliocrocuta P. cf. perierri Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members An early hyaena relative, synonym named Pachycrocuta cf. perrieri
Mustelidae
Mustelids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Enhydriodon
E. dikikae
 		Basal and Sidi Hakoma members at Dikika site[14][23] Partial skull (DIK-56-9) and humerus (DIK-78-1)[14][23] A giant river otter
Lutra L. hearsti Lower part of Sidi Hakoma Member at Dikika Upper teeth fragments (DIK-50–35)[23] Extinct relative of otters
Mellivora M. sp. A honey badger
Poecilogale
 		P. sp. Sidi Hakoma Member
Viverridae
Viverrids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Civettictis C. sp. A civet

Proboscideans

Deinotheriidae
Deinotheriids of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Deinotherium D. bozasi Denen Dora, Kada Hadar, and Sidi Hakoma members Complete cranium skull and teeth fragments A large extinct elephant-like proboscidean
Elephantidae
Elephantids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Elephas E. ekorensis Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members at Hadar and Dikika[18] Mandibles and molar fragments Extinct lineage related to Asian elephant
Loxodonta
 		L. adaurora Denen Dora and Sidi Hakoma members at Hadar[17] Mandibles and molar fragments Extinct subspecies of modern African elephant
L. exoptata Denen Dora Member Undescribed molars[17]
Mammuthus
 		M. sp. Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora Member. Undescribed molars[17] A mammoth relative
Palaeoloxodon recki P. r. brumpti Sidi Hakoma Member[18] Mandibles and molar fragments Extinct relative of African elephant

Perissodactyls

Equidae
Equids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Eurygnathohippus E. afarense Kada Hadar Member Partial skull (AL 363-18) and mandibles[15] A
hipparionine
horse.
E. hasumense Denen Dora Member Partial skull (AL 340-8) and mandibles[15]
Rhinocerotidae
Rhinocerotids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Ceratotherium C. mauritanicum Sidi Hakoma Member at Lower Awash of Dikika Complete cranium skull (AL-129-25)[16] Ancestor of modern white rhinoceros
Diceros D. praecox Sidi Hakoma Member at Lower Awash of Dikika Incomplete cranium skull fragments and jawbones[16] Direct ancestor of modern black rhinoceros, formally named Ceratotherium praecox

Primates

Cercopithecidae
Cercopithecids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Cercopithecoides C. meaveae Sidi Hakoma Member Partial skeleton (A.L. 2-64 and A.L. 222-14)[25] A
colobine
monkey
Rhinocolobus R. turkanaensis Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members Preserved mandibles and teeth fragments[25] Extinct relative of
colobus monkey
Parapapio P. cf. jonesi Sidi Hakoma and Kada Hadar members Complete
postcranial skull, partial limbs, teeth fragments, and mandibles[25]
 A prehistoric baboon
Theropithecus oswaldi[33] T. o. darti Basal, Denen Dora, Kada Hadar, and Sidi Hakoma members Postcranial skulls differentiated between male and female[25] Extinct relatives of
gelada baboons
T. o. ecki Denen Dora Member Female cranium skull and mandible
T. o. oswaldi Sidi Hakoma and Kada Hadar members Postcranial skulls differentiated between male and female[25]
Hominidae
Hominids
 of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Australopithecus A. afarensis Basal, Denen Dora, Kada Hadar, and Sidi Hakoma members Partial skeletons featuring small cranial capacity, primitive occipitals, basal cranium anatomy, high frequency of unicuspid third premolars, prognathic faces, and primitive mandibular anatomy An australopithecine hominid

AL 444-2 skull
AL 444-2 skull

Rodents

Rodents of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Acomys
 		A. cf. lavocati Mandible specimens[21] Relatives of Spiny mice.
A. cf. lemniscomys Right mandible and broken tooth root[21]
Gerbilliscus G. sp. Right maxillary fragment with M2-3 and right mandible fragment with M1-3[21] Relative of gerbil species
Golunda G. gurai Murine rodent closely related to the Indian bush rat
Hystrix H. cf. makapanensis Sidi Hakoma Member[20] An Old World porcupine
Mastomys M. cf. minor Partial skull and mandibles[21] Extinct relative of the
multimammate mouse
Millardia M. coppensi Extinct relatives of soft-furred rat
M. taiebi
Mus M. indet. Unknown relative of
Murini
Oenomys O. tiercelini Extinct relative of modern
rusty-nosed rat
Pelomys P. cf dietrichi Mandibles A groove-toothed swamp rat
Praomys P. sp. Sidi Hakoma Member A.L. 894-35993, a right mandible with M1-3[21] A Muridae species
Saidomys S. afarensis Sidi Hakoma Member Extinct relative of a
muroid
mouse
Tatera
 		T. sp. Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members Extinct relative of the Indian gerbil
Thallomys T. cf. quadrilobatus Complete skull with both mandibles[21] Extinct relative of the rat family endemic to Africa
Thryonomys
T. swinderianus
 		A cane rat
Xenohystrix X. cf. crassidens Sidi Hakoma and Denen Dora members An old-world porcupine
Xerus
 		X. sp. Kada Hadar Member An unstriped ground squirrel

Birds

Birds of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Anhinga A. hadarensis[34] An extinct darter
Balearica B. sp.
Plectropterus
 		P. sp.
Struthio
 		S. sp.

Reptiles

Reptiles of the Hadar Formation
Taxa Species Presence Material Notes Images
Bitis B. sp.
Crocodylus C. sp.
Python P. sp.
Varanus
 		V. sp.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Jon Kalb Adventures in the Bone Trade (New York: Copernicus Books, 2001), p. 83
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  5. ^ Feibel, Craig S. (November 2004). Sedimentary Patterns in the Pliocene Hadar Formation, Afar Rift, Ethiopia. 2004 Denver Annual Meeting of The Geological Society of America.
  6. ^ a b Hogenboom, Melissa. "The 'Lucy' fossil rewrote the story of humanity". Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Lucy's Story | Institute of Human Origins". iho.asu.edu. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
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  29. doi:10.2113/gssgfbull.s7-xxi.3.289
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External links
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