politburo diktat 2.0

Right Wing Nut House » LUCY’S LOCOMOTION

One of the major milestones in [the] journey [of human evolution] occurred when for some mysterious reason, our ancestors stood up and took the first tentative steps that freed their hands to do other things. This was an extraordinary long process that could have begun as long as 5 million years ago. The reasons why have been the source of some of the most fascinating speculation in science. Did the climate change the landscape from a tree-choked jungle to grassy Savannah which would have forced our ancestors to move quickly across the vast expanses of grassland in our search for the fruit and fodder that made up our diet at the time? An upright walker would have had an advantage because the broiling sun and searing heat (it was much warmer back then) would have been much harder on a creature that walked on all fours. Less of the body is exposed when walking upright thus allowing for more efficient cooling.

Rick excerpts and comments on the latest study about Lucy’s walking abilities.