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| Figure 1: Cast of an Australopithecus afarensis skull |
One of the more popularly known hominid species is Australopithecus afarensis (Figure 1), which is nicknamed “Lucy”. This particular hominid species was discovered by Mary and Louis Leakey in 1930s and formally identified in 1974. Due to the over 300 specimens that have been discovered it is one of the most widely studied hominid species. This blog post will go deeper into what we currently know about Australopithecus afarensis.
Australopithecus afarensis existed between 3.9 to 3 million years ago throughout eastern Africa, specifically Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Like all Australopithecine species this species was bipedal, but it was definitively proven not only through morphological features in the hips, legs, and feet but also the Laetoli footprints (Figure 2). These footprints, named after the site in Tanzania where they were found, are fossilized foot prints left in hot ash. They depict three individuals walking together, and the imprints of the feet show full bipedality.
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| Figure 2: Laetoli footprints |
Australopithecus afarensis specimens reflect traits found in modern apes and humans. They have small brains, prognathism (jutting forward of the face), a sagittal crest (boney ridge along the midline of the skull), and long arms, all of which are ape-like traits. They grew physically very quickly, more similarly to ape species. They had pointing canine teeth and were bipedal walkers, both of which are human traits. Like all Australopithecines they were strict vegetarians, subsisting on leaves, fruit, seeds, roots, nuts, and insects, although it is possible they consumed small invertebrate species.
References
Jurmain, Robert, Kilgore, Lynn, Trevathan, Wenda, Ciochon, Russell L. Introduction to Physical
5 comments:
I remember learning about Lucy in high school, she was like the blue print or the first human. I can't remember exactly but its fascinating how much we learn from just old bones. (Jayla Crawford)
I have never heard of Australopithecus afarensis before. Thats interesting that they were like the foundation of humans and had ape like features just like us. I bet they were in great shape seeming how they were very strict vegetarians.
-Jasmine Hill
I've learned about Lucy since the 5th grade and it just interest me that we've learned so much and are still learning from this primate.-FE
I love this title because its true for everyone, We love lucy. As much as k-12 highlighted her this would be assumed. She was the first "human" I remember learning about and the first proof to me that we evolved from primates.
-Gavin G
It is interesting to learn how similar different species are and how they evolved over time. I do not recall hearing about Lucy until I took your Anthropology class, but I found it fascinating to learn which species were discovered first and how they helped piece together information from the past.
McKenzie Williams
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