Raymond Arthur Dart
- Born:
- February 4, 1893, Toowong, Queensland, Australia
- Died:
- November 22, 1988, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Nationality:
- Australian, British (later South African resident)
- Profession(s):
- Anatomist, Anthropologist, Paleoanthropologist
Early Life and Education
- Received a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of Queensland.
- Studied medicine at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
- Served in the Australian Army Medical Corps during World War I.
- Received a postgraduate scholarship to study at University College London under Grafton Elliot Smith.
Career and Major Achievements
- Appointed Professor of Anatomy at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1923.
- In 1924, his associate Josephine Salmons brought him a fossil skull from Taung.
- Made a groundbreaking discovery in 1924: the "Taung Child" fossil (Australopithecus africanus).
- Published a paper in Nature describing the "Taung Child," challenging prevailing views on human evolution. The analysis of Raymond Dart Taung Child characteristics was key to this.
- Advocated for the acceptance of Africa as the cradle of humankind.
- Established the Department of Anatomy at the University of the Witwatersrand.
- Mentored numerous students who became prominent figures in paleoanthropology.
Notable Works
- Published extensively on human evolution and anatomy.
- Authored the book "Adventures with the Missing Link" (1959).
- Contributed significantly to the understanding of australopithecines.
Legacy and Impact
Raymond Dart's discovery of the Taung Child and his subsequent research revolutionized the field of paleoanthropology. He played a crucial role in shifting the focus of human origins research to Africa, challenging Eurocentric views. His work provided critical evidence for the theory of human evolution and laid the foundation for future discoveries of hominin fossils.