In the area of species protection, we should concern ourselves with what is right as opposed to what might be easier, or popular in the short term.

It's the next annihilation of vast numbers of species. It is happening now, and we, the human race, are its cause

Echoing the criticism made of his father's habilis skulls, he added that Lucy's skull was so incomplete that most of it was 'imagination made of plaster of Paris', thus making it impossible to draw any firm conclusion about what species she belonged to.

In the area of species protection, we should concern ourselves with what is right as opposed to what might be easier, or popular in the short term.

Paleoanthropology is not a science that ends with the discovery of a bone. One has to have the original to work with. It is a life-long task.

I ... believe the study of human history remains important and should not be banned. We should ensure that any archaeological studies are conducted with sensitivity and respect. Reburying relics, in my view, does not help anyone go anywhere.

Whether or not all this came to pass in an East African ditch, I wouldn't like to say. Perhaps it happened in North Africa or further west, but Africa was definitely the place.