To establish the age of a rock or a fossil, researchers use some type of clock to determine the date it was formed. Geologists commonly use radiometric dating methods, based on the natural radioactive decay of certain elements such as potassium and carbon, as reliable clocks to date ancient events.

Who was the first known human?

Homo habilis The First Humans One of the earliest known humans is Homo habilis, or “handy man,” who lived about 2.4 million to 1.4 million years ago in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Whats the oldest skeleton ever found?

Lucy is the common name of AL 288-1, several hundred pieces of fossilized bone representing 40 percent of the skeleton of a female of the hominin species Australopithecus afarensis .Lucy (Australopithecus)Catalog no.AL 288-1Age3.2 million yearsPlace discoveredAfar Depression, EthiopiaDate discoveredNovember 24, 19744 more rows