Trail of Laetoli footprints
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Trail of Laetoli footprints
Trail of hominid footprints fossilized in volcanic ash. This 70 metre trail was found by Mary Leakeys expedition at Laetoli, Tanzania in 1978. It dates from 3.6 million years & shows that hominids had acquired the upright, bipedal, free- striding gait of modern man by this date. The trail probably belongs to Australopithecus afarensis & dates from 3.7 to 3.0 million years ago. The footprints show a well developed arch to the foot & no divergence of the big toe. They are of two adults with possibly a third set belonging to a child who walked in the footsteps of one of the adults
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6371251
© JOHN READER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Anthropology Australopithecus Afarensis Foot Print Fossil Man Hominid Hominids Palaeoanthropology Paleoanthropology Laetoli Palaeontology
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the remarkable Trail of Laetoli footprints, a significant archaeological discovery made by Mary Leakey's expedition in 1978. Located in Laetoli, Tanzania, this 70-meter trail is fossilized in volcanic ash and dates back an astonishing 3.6 million years. These footprints provide compelling evidence that hominids had already acquired the upright, bipedal, free-striding gait characteristic of modern humans by this time. Believed to belong to Australopithecus afarensis and ranging from 3.7 to 3.0 million years old, these footprints reveal intriguing details about our ancient ancestors' physical characteristics and behavior. The prints exhibit a well-developed arch to the foot and lack any divergence of the big toe—an indication of their advanced locomotive abilities. The trail consists of two sets of adult footprints with a possible third set belonging to a child who walked alongside one of the adults—a touching glimpse into family dynamics millions of years ago. This extraordinary find sheds light on our evolutionary history and offers invaluable insights into how early hominids moved and interacted with their environment. Preserved through time in volcanic ash, these delicate imprints serve as tangible connections between us and our distant past. Displayed here as a stunning print courtesy of Science Photo Library, this image invites contemplation on humanity's journey from its humble beginnings to the complex beings we are today—reminding us that every step we take carries
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