Dr. Ashleigh Wiseman from Cambridge University has digitally reconstructed the muscle structure of Australopithecus afarensis, revealing insights into this early human ancestor’s movement capabilities. The study indicates that “Lucy,” a 3.2 million-year-old fossil, possessed substantial leg and pelvic muscles suited for both bipedal walking and climbing in trees. Despite having an ape-like face and a smaller brain than modern humans, Lucy might have walked as efficiently as contemporary humans.
Wiseman’s 3D model, based on open-source data and muscle scans, detailed 36 muscles in each leg, showing they were larger than those of modern humans, consisting of 74% muscle mass in the thigh compared to just 50% in humans. While researchers have debated the nature of Lucy’s walking, Wiseman’s findings lend further support to the idea that she could walk fully erect, stating that her knee extensor muscles allowed for straight knee movement akin to today’s humans.
This research enhances our understanding of human evolution, demonstrating that Australopithecus afarensis thrived in a variety of ecosystems, adapting effectively to both wooded and savannah habitats.
