Donald Johanson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donald Johanson
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Born |
Donald Carl Johanson
June 28, 1943 |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign University of Chicago |
| Known for | Discovery of a new hominid, Australopithecus afarensis ("Lucy") |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Paleoanthropology |
| Institutions | Arizona State University |
Donald Carl Johanson (born June 28, 1943) is an American paleoanthropologist. He is best known for finding the fossil of an early human ancestor. This fossil was a female hominin called "Lucy". He found her in the Afar Triangle area of Hadar, Ethiopia.
Contents
Meet Donald Johanson
Donald Johanson is a well-known scientist who studies human origins. He has made very important discoveries about our ancient ancestors. His work helps us understand how humans evolved over millions of years.
His Early Life and Education
Donald Johanson was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were from Sweden. He loved learning and went to college.
He earned his first degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1966. Later, he got his master's degree in 1970 and his PhD in 1974 from the University of Chicago. A PhD is the highest university degree you can get.
When he found Lucy, he was teaching anthropology at Case Western Reserve University. In 1981, he started the Institute of Human Origins. This institute helps scientists study human evolution. He moved it to Arizona State University in 1997.
Discovering "Lucy"
One of Donald Johanson's most famous discoveries is "Lucy." Lucy is the fossil of an early human ancestor. She was found in Hadar, Ethiopia, on November 24, 1974.
Johanson and his team were exploring the area. His graduate student, Tom Gray, encouraged him to look around. Suddenly, Johanson saw a piece of white fossilized bone. He immediately knew it was from a hominin.
They eventually found about 40 percent of Lucy's skeleton. This was an amazing amount to find all at once! Lucy was later identified as the first known member of a new species. This species was named Australopithecus afarensis.
The team named her "Lucy" after a popular Beatles song. The song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was playing a lot that night.
What Lucy Taught Us
Lucy was a bipedal hominin. This means she walked on two legs. She stood about three and a half feet tall. Her ability to walk upright supported a theory by Raymond Dart. This theory suggested that australopithecines walked upright.
The team also learned other things from Lucy's bones. Her rib cage showed that she ate a plant-based diet. Her curved finger bones suggested she might have still spent time in trees.
At first, scientists thought Lucy was an older member of a known species. But after finding more skulls like hers, they realized she was a new species. They named her afarensis.
Donald Johanson and Maitland A. Edey wrote a book about Lucy. It was called Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind. This book won a national award in 1982.
The "First Family" Discovery
In 1975, Johanson's team made another big find. They discovered a collection of teeth and bones. This collection belonged to at least thirteen early human ancestors. It was found in Hadar, just like Lucy.
This group of fossils is called the "First Family." They are also thought to be members of the Australopithecus afarensis species. Scientists believe these fossils are about 3.2 million years old.
Awards and Special Honors
Donald Johanson has received many awards for his important work.
- In 1976, he received the Golden Plate Award.
- In 1991, he was given the In Praise of Reason award.
- In 2014, he gave the Patrusky Lecture.
- He also received the "Emperor Has No Clothes" award in 2014.
- An asteroid was named in his honor: 52246 Donaldjohanson. This asteroid is a target for the Lucy space mission.
Other Activities
Since 2013, Donald Johanson has been part of the Advisory Council for the National Center for Science Education. This group helps promote science education.
Images for kids
-
Donald Johanson, a famous paleoanthropologist.
