Name
Class
Date
Early Civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere
Biography
The Leakeys
HOW THEY AFFECTED THE WORLD The
Leakey family discovered many hominid fossils in East Africa during their work as anthropologists. This discovery showed that humans
first evolved in Africa.
As you read the biography below, think about
how the Leakeys’ perseverance to study in Africa
led them to important discoveries.
© Bettmann/CORBIS
LOUIS LEAKEY
1903–1972
Louis Leakey was born to missionary parents in
Kenya. He was the first white baby ever seen by
the Kikuyu, a native people of Kenya. Louis was
interested in anthropology and became an expert
on the culture of the Kikuyu. During a medical
leave from college, Louis joined his first archaeological expedition. He was so interested in this work
that he led four more expeditions in East Africa to
search for the ancestors of humans. Louis Leakey’s
decision to search in East Africa made him different than other scientists. At that time, scientists
believed that Asia, not Africa, was where hominids
and ancient humans existed. Louis, working with
his wife Mary, proved otherwise.
VOCABULARY
anthropology the science
of human beings
archaeology the scientific
study of the remains of
past human lives and
activities
MARY LEAKEY
1913–1996
Mary Leakey had been interested in archaeology
from an early age. Her father was a respected artist and Mary also developed her own art skills. She
combined her ability to draw with her interest in
science and was recognized as a master of
Copyright © Holt McDougal. All rights reserved.
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Name
Class
Date
Biography
The Leakeys, continued
scientific illustration. She met Louis Leakey in 1933.
He asked her to join him in Africa to draw stone
tools he had found. The Leakeys were married three
years later.
Mary and Louis searched throughout Africa.
Mary made an important discovery when she found
a set of footprints that were 3.6 million years old.
The footprints proved that ancestors of humans had
walked upright. Together, Mary and Louis found
three different sets of fossils, each believed to be a
human ancestor.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Draw Conclusions Why do you think that Louis Leakey became interested in
studying human ancestors in Africa?
2. Evaluate Why do you think the Leakeys’ discoveries were so important?
ACTIVITY
Do research to find more information on the fossils found by the
Leakeys. Make a chart that shows how each species of human differed.
Copyright © Holt McDougal. All rights reserved.
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Name
Class
Date
Early Civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere
Biography
Donald Johanson
HOW HE AFFECTED THE WORLD Donald
Johanson played an important role in the
discovery and description of early human
fossils.
As you read the biography below, think about
how the scientist’s knowledge helped him in
his work.
© Ferorelli Enterprises, Inc.
DONALD JOHANSON
1943–
Donald Johanson first studied anthropology when
he switched majors in college. During summers,
he worked on archaeological digs. Later, in 1973,
Johanson led a team to Ethiopia. He discovered a
fossilized hominid knee. The next year, Johanson
made his most important find—a female skeleton
nearly 40 percent complete. Johanson nicknamed
her Lucy, and determined that Lucy belonged to
the Australopithecine species of hominids. In 1975,
Johanson and his team found what they called the
First Family. The First Family consisted of the
fossilized bones of 13 individuals, more than
likely 9 adults and 4 children.
All of these fossils needed to be analyzed.
Johanson enlisted the help of fellow scientist Tim
White. Together they dated the bones through
several tests. They also compared physical
characteristics. Johanson and White concluded
that all of the fossils belonged to a single species
of hominid that they named Australopithecus
afarensis. At the time, this theory was controversial.
Today, it is widely accepted.
VOCABULARY
hominid an early ancestor
of humans
excavation the action or
process of digging
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Name
Class
Date
Biography
Donald Johanson, continued
Johanson founded a non-profit research
institution in 1981 that conducts studies of
prehistory. This group has made other expeditions
to Africa. Among their later finds are a Homo
habilis skeleton and other Australopithecus
afarensis fossils.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Draw Conclusions Why do you think it is important for scientists to date the
fossils that they find?
2. Evaluate Why do you think Johanson’s discoveries were so important?
ACTIVITY
Do research to find out more about how an anthropologist or an
archaeologist works in his or her field. Write a job description for one
of the jobs, listing necessary tools and tasks of the job.
Copyright © Holt McDougal. All rights reserved.
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