LD 350-1
LD 350-1 is a fossil mandible fragment found in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. The fossil dates to 2.80 to 2.75 million years before present, and it has been described as the oldest fossil discovered in the genus Homo.[1] The species classification has not been determined.[2] The fossil was discovered by Chalachew Seyoum, a graduate student at Arizona State University, in 2013.[1]
The fossil is the left mandibular body, but does not include the ascending ramus. It has attached the three molars, both premolars, and the left canine, some of which have complete crowns. Based on the morphology, it was classified as belonging to the genus Homo, although Australopithecus afarensis has been found in the same area.[2]
The fossil was found at the Ledi-Geraru site, between the Gurumaha Tuff, a stratum dated to 2.82 million years, and the 2.669 million year old Lee Adoyta Tuff.[2][3] A model of sedimentation rates was used to further refine the age estimate to 2.80 to 2.75 million years before present. At the time of publication this date was 400,000 years older than the oldest known fossil in the genus Homo.[2]
