Australopithecus afarensis
Australopithecus afarensis is an extinct primate species, which to some, is considered to be the "missing link" in human evolution. The monumental remains known as "Lucy" stemmed from one of the most famous paleoanthropological finds in recent history. The potassium-argon dating found that the ancient species is thought to have lived between 3.9 and 2.9 million years ago. This discovery of the potential missing link remains the subject of heated discussions within many scholarly circles.
Distinguished Digs
1973: AL 129-1 Knee joint1
1974: Afar Depression Site Lucy
2006: Afar Depression Site "Lucy's baby"2
1978: Laetoli Site Footprints
The Laetoli site is located in Laetoli, Tanzania and boasts the oldest evidence of a bipedal hominid species. The cluster of footprints found date from 3.4 to 3.5 million years ago.
Physical Attributes
Bipedal Locomotion
Evidence seen when examining pelvis structure, knee joint and foramen magnum
Prognathous
1 AL 129-1
2 Lucy's Baby
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