Foot fossils of human relative illustrate evolutionary 'messiness' of bipedal walking
Tuesday, October 6, 2015 - 12:50
in Paleontology & Archaeology
A new study on Homo naledi, the extinct human relative whose remains were discovered in a South African cave and introduced to the world last month, suggests that although its feet were the most human-like part of its body, H. naledi didn't use them to walk in the same way we do. Analysis of 107 foot bones indicates that H. naledi was well adapted for standing and walking on two feet, but that it also was likely comfortable climbing trees.