Post by Lone Wanderer on May 1, 2018 7:16:50 GMT
Source: Human-like walking mechanics evolved before the genus Homo
Summary:
Ever since scientists realized that humans evolved from a succession of primate ancestors, the public imagination has been focused on the inflection point when those ancestors switched from ape-like shuffling to walking upright as we do today. Scientists have long been focused on the question, too, because the answer is important to understanding how our ancestors lived, hunted and evolved. A close examination of 3.6-million-year-old hominin footprints discovered in Laetoli, Tanzania, suggests our ancestors evolved the hallmark trait of extended leg, human-like bipedalism substantially earlier than previously thought.
Footprints from (A) a modern human walking normally, (B) a modern human walking with a stooped posture known as the "bent knees, bent hip," or BKBH, posture, and (C) 3.6 million-year-old hominin footprints found in Laetoli, Tanzania. The team's analysis suggests ancient hominins probably walked in a way that is very similar to modern humans.
Summary:
Ever since scientists realized that humans evolved from a succession of primate ancestors, the public imagination has been focused on the inflection point when those ancestors switched from ape-like shuffling to walking upright as we do today. Scientists have long been focused on the question, too, because the answer is important to understanding how our ancestors lived, hunted and evolved. A close examination of 3.6-million-year-old hominin footprints discovered in Laetoli, Tanzania, suggests our ancestors evolved the hallmark trait of extended leg, human-like bipedalism substantially earlier than previously thought.
Footprints from (A) a modern human walking normally, (B) a modern human walking with a stooped posture known as the "bent knees, bent hip," or BKBH, posture, and (C) 3.6 million-year-old hominin footprints found in Laetoli, Tanzania. The team's analysis suggests ancient hominins probably walked in a way that is very similar to modern humans.