Evoblog 14 weblab fossils

How Did They Move?
  Lucy-- She walked upright on two legs and her pelvis was similar to modern woman's. She had a pelvic
              basin which allowed support for her internal organs and entire upper body as she moved.
  Hadar Skull-- The Skull moved along with the body since it was attached to the body through bones and  
                        most likely the spine
  Laetoli Footprints--Moved forward with two feet with a smooth and stable gait. Weight and the small distance between the two feet represent a human-like step. Walking was like humans, weight on the heel first. then on the outside of the foot and then finally on the ball and big toe of the foot.
  First Family-- Walked upright with the fact that their heels were filled with spongy and shock absorbent bone rather than a solid bone found in apes.
What Did They Look Like?
  Lucy-- She reached adulthood before her death because she teeth showed a little wear and she had an erupted third molar. Lucy was about three and a half feet tall considering the length of her fossil vertebrae. She was a female because of her wide pelvic opening that women have to give birth.
  Hadar Skull--This creature looked more apelike than human due to the heavy brow ridge and forward-jutting face. It had one chimp-sized brain and was a male due to the deep muscle scars and large canine teeth. The male was likely to be an older person due to the heavy wear on the front teeth.
   Laetoli Footprints-- Similar to one a barefoot human would leave in wet sand. The foot had a big toe in line with the other toe, rather than apart. It had an arch between the ball an heel that acted as a shock absorbed while walking or running.
   First Family-- The jaws found represent a mix of human and chimp-like traits. They had canines and large front teeth. Their back molars were large too and their jaws were more curved than straight. Bones show that males were much bigger than female, like male gorillas today who tower over females.
Are They All The Same People?
     Lucy-- She had a much smaller and V-shaped jaw than the owner of the Hadar Skull. She also may have been a foot shorter than some members of the First Family.
     Hadar Skull-- Many features of the skull can be seen in the First Family and Lucy. They had similar shaped teeth and braincase.
     Laetoli Footprints-- These creatures that made these prints had knee and hip joints like Lucy and the members of the First Family. Using foot fossils from the Hadar also made prints like these.
     First Family-- These fossils led to the idea that Lucy, the Hadar skull, and other finds could be from the same species. The fossils of the First Family showed few signs of weathering or attack by predators.
When Did They Live?
Lucy-- 3.2 million years ago
Hadar Skull--3.0 million years ago
Laetoli Footprints--3.6 million years ago
First Family-- 3.2 million years ago