These curious hominids lived about two million years ago in an era that scientists consider the crucible of human evolution, when four or more apelike hominid species struggled for survival in Africa.

WSJ: Creature Combined Human, Ape Traits

In six research papers published in Science, an international team described how the hominids had almost-human hands attached to apelike arms, a rib cage that was narrow like an ape's at the top but more humanlike lower down, and a spine that likely had the same number of vertebrae as a human.

WSJ: Creature Combined Human, Ape Traits