australopithecus
The hominid Australopithecus Afarensis, nicknamed the Southern Ape, began at 4 million years BCE. They lived only in Africa. These early people were biped, which was a very important feature that helped them survive. Being biped meant their hands were free to protect themselves and their children and they could gather berries, plants, or other resources. Their arms were much longer than any modern humans. Southern Apes were not able to talk but could communicate a bit with some grunts and body language. One skeleton that archaeologists found had most of the bones with it. This skeleton was named Lucy. Anthropologists have few answers about Lucy because bones from the time when this hominid existed are very hard to find and are very old. Archaeologists have not found any tools that Lucy or her close relatives may have ever used.
Fun Facts about Lucy
- The skeleton was named Lucy after "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" was played multiple times at a party that was thrown the night the skeleton was found.
- Scientists know that Lucy was a girl based on her size. Male humans would have been much bigger than Lucy ever was.
- Lucy was most likely a full grown person because her wisdom teeth appeared to have been used before her death.