1944-

Kenyan paleoanthropologist whose research has contributed to the study of human evolution. Leakey studied the fossilized remains of extinct human-like creatures called hominids, some of which are thought to be the ancestors of modern humans. He discovered the earliest skull of Australopithecus robustus, as well as a complete skeleton of "Turkana Boy," thought to be nearly 1.6 million years old. Leakey is also credited with finding the 17 million-year-old jaw, teeth, and skull fragments of Sivapithecus, a possible ancestor of both apes and humans.