4. Reasons for extinction of Australopithecus

Return to History 8 Human Origins Concepts The exact time the Australopithecines' changed over to the genus Homo is uncertain but it is believed the the two lived alongside each other on the savanna for close to 800,000 years before going extinct. One certain reason why the Australopithecines went extinct, it is that they were unable to survive under the competitive living circumstances of the time. They were believed to have been overtaken by more efficient herbivores such as the gazelle, oryx, and the horse.

Sources: Manual (26) [1]