Australopithecus afarensis is an extinct species of hominin that lived between 3.9 and 2.9 million years ago in Africa. It is one of the most well-known early human ancestors. It is believed to be the ancestor of the later hominin species, Homo habilis. A. afarensis is known for its bipedal locomotion and its small brain size. Its fossil remains were first discovered in Ethiopia in 1974, and since then, numerous other fossils have been found in various locations in East Africa. The species is renowned for its bipedal locomotion, which is the ability to walk upright on two legs. This is seen in the fossilized footprints discovered in Laetoli, Tanzania. A. afarensis also has a small brain size, estimated to be around 350 to 500 cubic centimeters. This is much smaller than the average human brain, which is around 1,400 cubic centimeters. A. afarensis is also notable for its dental features, which are intermediate between those of earlier hominins and later hominins. Its teeth are small and have large cusps, which suggests that it was capable of eating a variety of food items.
ostralopithacus, astralopithacus, afaransis