DJ
Donald Johanson
45quotes
Donald Johanson
Full Name and Common Aliases
Donald Calvin Johanson is a renowned American paleoanthropologist, best known for his groundbreaking discovery of the 3.2 million-year-old fossil hominid Lucy.
Birth and Death Dates
Donald Johanson was born on June 28, 1948. His current status as an active researcher allows us to update this information with no death date provided at this time.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Johanson's nationality is American, and his profession is that of a paleoanthropologist, specializing in the field of human evolution.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Los Angeles, California, Johanson developed an interest in science and anthropology from an early age. He pursued this passion at UCLA, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in geology in 1970. His academic journey continued at Stanford University, where he received his Ph.D. in paleontology in 1976.
Major Accomplishments
Donald Johanson is most famous for the 1974 discovery of Lucy, the nearly complete skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis, which significantly contributed to our understanding of human evolution. This find helped bridge the gap between the ape-like australopiths and the more advanced Homo genus. The excavation site in Hadar, Ethiopia, produced many other significant fossils, including several Lucy's relatives.
Notable Works or Actions
Johanson's work has been instrumental in expanding our understanding of human evolution. His research team made numerous discoveries in Hadar, including a 3.6 million-year-old hominid and the early fossil remains of the genus Homo. In addition to his fieldwork, Johanson has written several books on paleoanthropology, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broader audience.
Impact and Legacy
Johanson's discovery of Lucy revolutionized our comprehension of human evolution, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important paleoanthropologists of the 20th century. His tireless efforts to promote public awareness and understanding of science have made significant contributions to the field.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Donald Johanson's groundbreaking discovery of Lucy, coupled with his dedication to communicating complex scientific ideas to a wider audience, has cemented his place as one of the most renowned scientists in the field. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of paleoanthropologists and science enthusiasts alike.
Quotes by Donald Johanson
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In our case, finding a Lucy is unique. No one will ever find another Lucy. You can’t order one from a biological supply house. It’s a unique discovery, a unique specimen.
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Lucy brought with her an image of our human ancestors that you don’t get when you find a jaw or an arm bone or a leg bone. Here was 40 percent of a single skeleton.
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And what I wanted to do was, I wanted to explore problems and areas where we didn’t have answers. In fact, where we didn’t even know the right questions to ask.
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I think that many of my ideas are correct, but I’ll bet you, before my death other discoveries will be made that will prompt me to alter various ideas I have about human evolution.
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The right question to ask from a Darwinian prospective is what was it about bipedalism that was so advantageous? Why did it lead to a – why did that adaptation ultimately lead to a species Homo sapiens that has come to dominate the planet today with six and a half billion people?
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There have been some friendships lost over this. That’s the most difficult for me. I find it very uncomfortable to know that I was at one time close friends with someone, and because of jealousies and misunderstandings and so on, these friendships have dissolved.
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Commitment, belief and positive attitude are all important if you’re going to be a success, whether you’re in sports, in business or, as in my case, anthropology.
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When we look for the origins of all humanity today, let's not just look at Europe, because I think Africa was the cradle, the crucible that created us as Homo sapiens.
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The right question to ask from a Darwinian prospective is what was it about bipedalism that was so advantageous? Why did it lead to a - why did that adaptation ultimately lead to a species Homo sapiens that has come to dominate the planet today with six and a half billion people?
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Lucy brought with her an image of our human ancestors that you don't get when you find a jaw or an arm bone or a leg bone. Here was 40 percent of a single skeleton.
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