THIS is the face of our oldest direct ancestor, which walked the Earth 3.8million years ago.

It can be shown for the first time after a near complete skull of Australopithecus anamensis was found in Ethiopia.

6 The ape-like early human, or hominid, was a member of a species known as Australopithecus anamensis. Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

6 Scientists created the facial reconstruction from this remarkably preserved skull Credit: AP:Associated Press

The ape-like adult male was about 5ft and weighed about 100lbs.

Females were about 3ft 5in and around 62lbs.

An upper jaw was found first. Dr Yohannes Haile-Selassie, of Cleveland Museum of Natural History, told journal Nature: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted the rest.

"It was a dream come true.”

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"This is a game changer in our understanding of human evolution during the Pliocene."

Professor Fred Spoor, an expert in anatomy at London's Natural History Museum, said the skull is "a great addition to the fossil record."

Prof Spoor, who was not involved in the study, added: "This cranium looks set to become another celebrated icon of human evolution."

6

6 The almost complete skull has been hailed by British experts as an iconic relic of human evolution Credit: Reuters

6 The skull was found in Ethiopia at a place known as Miro Dora Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

6 Dr Yohannes Haile-Selassie has called the discovery a 'dream come true' Credit: AP:Associated Press