The boy who discovered a new species of human ancestor
The nine-year-old son of a paleoanthropologist made a major discovery about early humans when he tripped over a fossil in the Cradle of Humankind, in South Africa.
On 15 August 2008, nine-year-old Matt Berger tripped over a fossil that would lead to one of the most important discoveries in the history of human evolution.
The young adventurer had been exploring the Cradle of Humankind, in South Africa, with his father Lee, a paleoanthropologist.
"I didn't really know what was happening. I was just there for fun. But my dad was so excited. So obviously that made me excited too," said Matt.
The fossil turned out to be from a new species of hominid called Australopithecus sediba.
Matt speaks to Vicky Farncombe about his memories of the day.
(Photo: Matt Berger, son of Prof Lee Berger, found the fossil of a new hominid species that lived 1.95 million years ago. Credit: Foto24/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
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- Mon 14 Aug 2023 07:50GMT成人快手 World Service
- Mon 14 Aug 2023 11:50GMT成人快手 World Service
- Mon 14 Aug 2023 17:50GMT成人快手 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Mon 14 Aug 2023 21:50GMT成人快手 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Tue 15 Aug 2023 02:50GMT成人快手 World Service
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