Australopithecus afarensis ('Lucy' and relatives)
c. 3.9–2.9 million years ago·Science, technology & invention·East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania)·
c. 3.9–2.9 million years agoDate
Science, technology & inventionCategory
0Empires active
- Date
- c. 3.9–2.9 million years ago
- Category
- Science, technology & invention
- Region
- East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania)
- Era
- Prehistory
- Significance
Best known early hominin species. Famous specimen 'Lucy' (AL 288-1). Clear evidence of habitual bipedalism combined with arboreal capabilities. Brain size approximately 400-500 cc.
See the world map in c. 3.9–2.9 million years ago →More science, technology & inventionThe Prehistory era
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Further reading
The wider story
A Little History of Science
Warm, jargon-free tour of discovery from Babylonian stargazers to the genome.
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