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Long Walk
03/02/09 10:52 AM
The next time you leave a footprint in the mud, consider this . . .
Scientists have uncovered, quite literally, what is believed to be the oldest fossilized footprint of a pre-human hominid (that's our family tree). This ancient print was probably left by a member of Homo erectus, a precursor to Homo sapiens (us) that had what anthropologists call a "modern foot," meaning one designed for walking upright, as opposed to climbing or scampering on all fours. This particular footprint has been dated at 1.5 million years old. Of course, Homo erectus is now extinct, but they left their mark, not only on our evolutionary lineage but also in the African mud, it seems.
Older fossilized footprints from our family tree have been found previously. In particular, prints from Australopithecus afarensis, an earlier ancestor, have been dated to 3.7 million years ago. However, these more ape-like creatures were not made for walking, at least not long distances. It took the likes of Homo erectus to begin the migrations that eventually led to hominids populating the entire planet. Their modern foot structure allowed them to engage in far-ranging treks, and to run after prey or to flee predators.
Looking at this footprint provides a feel for how long we hominids have been a "work in progress." Whoever the Homo erectus was who left this print, she or he lived tens of thousands of generations ago. These ancestors used primitive stone tools and migrated to different locations in search of food and other resources. Beyond that, we can only imagine what they were like, how they viewed the world, and why they eventually went extinct.
It is probable that someday Homo sapiens will become extinct, as well. After all, over 99.9% of all the species that have inhabited Mother Earth are no more. Maybe in the far future, some other species with similar cognitive abilities will find our fossilized footprints and, gazing at them, may wonder what sort of creatures we were.
Older fossilized footprints from our family tree have been found previously. In particular, prints from Australopithecus afarensis, an earlier ancestor, have been dated to 3.7 million years ago. However, these more ape-like creatures were not made for walking, at least not long distances. It took the likes of Homo erectus to begin the migrations that eventually led to hominids populating the entire planet. Their modern foot structure allowed them to engage in far-ranging treks, and to run after prey or to flee predators.
Looking at this footprint provides a feel for how long we hominids have been a "work in progress." Whoever the Homo erectus was who left this print, she or he lived tens of thousands of generations ago. These ancestors used primitive stone tools and migrated to different locations in search of food and other resources. Beyond that, we can only imagine what they were like, how they viewed the world, and why they eventually went extinct.
It is probable that someday Homo sapiens will become extinct, as well. After all, over 99.9% of all the species that have inhabited Mother Earth are no more. Maybe in the far future, some other species with similar cognitive abilities will find our fossilized footprints and, gazing at them, may wonder what sort of creatures we were.