Raymond Dart was an Australian anatomist and anthropologist, best known for his discovery of the first fossil of an early human ancestor, which he named Australopithecus africanus. This significant find, known as the "Taung Child," was unearthed in South Africa in 1924 and provided crucial evidence for the study of human evolution. Dart's work laid the foundation for the field of paleoanthropology, influencing our understanding of human origins. His research emphasized the importance of fossils in tracing the evolutionary history of humans, and he contributed to the broader discussions about hominids and their development over millions of years.