Australopithecus afarensis

“Lucy”, superstar of evolution, at fifty

Today's science has broadened enormously since the 1970s but the iconic fossil still has an important place in understanding our ancient past.

Nov 24, 2024 •

Guide to Sahelanthropus, Orrorin and Ardipithecus

These fossil species between 8 million and 4.4 million years old include some of the earliest members of the hominin lineage.

Oct 10, 2023 •

Guide to Australopithecus species

These ancient human relatives include the first species with evidence of upright walking and running like humans. They represent more than a third of…

Sep 20, 2023 •

The real story of myosin, jaw muscles, and ancient brains

The provocative idea that our genus arose with a deactivated muscle gene turned out to be wrong.

Sep 3, 2023 •

Fossil profile: AL 400-1 mandible and the curving line of human evolution

Australopithecus afarensis was an early member of the hominin lineage, but it was not intermediate between humans and living great apes in all ways.

Nov 17, 2021 •

New footprints from Laetoli shed light on how the science has changed in 40 years

New trails expand our knowledge of body size and behavior of some of the earliest known bipedal hominins.

Dec 26, 2016 •

Presentation on species concepts and the hominin fossil record

On a visit to Charles Darwin's home, I share some perspectives on how paleoanthropologists think about species.

Jun 26, 2014 •

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