Question

Why was Don Johanson's finding of the "First Family" so significant for resolving questions about Australopithecus afarensis?   

Answer 1

The first family discovered by Don Johanson is a collection of prehistoric homonid teeth and bones. The only living species from homonids today are Homo sapiens. The first family was discovered in Hadar (Ethiopia), the same place where "Lucy" - a full homonin skeleton was found and was allocated to extinct homonid species Australopithecus afarensis.The study of the skeletal anatomy led to a conclusion that Australopithecus afarensis are our direct ancestors.

First family (AL333) was named so because the fossils were from nine adults and four children. This led to gather important information of

1. the development of the species
2. the social behaviour of Australopithecus afarensis (that they might have been living as small groups like families toady)
3. The fossils also gave some insights about the dietry habits of Australopithecus afarensis.
4. The fossils helped to understand Australopithecus afarensis better and showed a strong ancestral relationship between Australopithecus afarensis and Homo sapiens .