| The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002. |
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| Australopithecus |
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| (aw-STRAY-loh-pith-i-kuhs, aw-stray-loh-pi-THEE-kuhs) An extinct genus of the hominid family that lived in Africa from about three to one million years ago. The name means “southern ape.” | 1 |
| ‡ Members of this genus were the ancestors of modern humans. One of the best-known fossils, Lucy, was a member of this genus. | 2 |
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| | | The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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