Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Earliest 'human footprints' found

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » Science Donate to DU
 
Judi Lynn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-26-09 04:14 PM
Original message
Earliest 'human footprints' found
Page last updated at 19:00 GMT, Thursday, 26 February 2009
Earliest 'human footprints' found



The earliest footprints showing evidence of modern human foot anatomy and gait have been unearthed in Kenya.

The 1.5 million-year-old footprints show signs of a pronounced arch and short, aligned toes, in contrast to older footprints.

The size and spacing of the Kenyan footprint trails - attributed to Homo erectus - reflect the height, weight, and walking style of modern humans.

~snip~
The fossil record is distinctly lacking in foot and hand bones, according to lead author Matthew Bennett of Bournemouth University, UK.

"The reason is that carnivores like to eat hands and feet," Professor Bennett told BBC News.

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7913375.stm
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
villager Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-26-09 04:17 PM
Response to Original message
1. a 6,000 year old footprint!?
;-)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
county worker Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-26-09 04:20 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Yep, right next to the print of the dinosaur he/she was playing with.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Submariner Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-26-09 05:02 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. Yes....As Sister Perpetual Agony taught us
Her god put the dinosaur fossils in the ground 6,000 years ago to test our faith....whatever the hell that meant.:eyes:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
GreenPartyVoter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-26-09 04:37 PM
Response to Original message
3. Very cool!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Peace Patriot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-26-09 05:05 PM
Response to Original message
5. I thought Lucy was the oldest footprint. I guess I need to research this.
Anybody remember how old Lucy's footprint is?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Greyskye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-26-09 05:41 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. Lucy is 3.2 million years old. Australopithecus afarensis

The new footprints are of Homo erectus. That's the discrepancy that you're thinking of.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Peace Patriot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-27-09 08:35 AM
Response to Reply #6
7. Thank you! nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
pokerfan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-01-09 03:01 AM
Response to Reply #6
8. More specifically, H. ergaster
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=15-million-footprints-uncover
http://anthropology.si.edu/HumanOrigins/ha/erg.html
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
xchrom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-09-09 10:34 AM
Response to Original message
9. very cool. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Apr 23rd 2024, 05:28 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » Science Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC