Humans: Riddle of the Bones

1. What is "Lucy" and how did it get its name?
Lucy is a fossil of the A. afarensis species and shows some of the earliest human ancestors. It got its name from the song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" which was a song that was playing.

2. Which hominid species does this activity focus on?
A. afarensis

3. Why do scientists believe these species all belong to the same family?
Found various fossils and were known as the First Family. They were the remains of 13 individuals and had characteristics that showed they were similar from one another species.

4. How old is each set of fossils shown in this activity?
Both the First Family fossil set and Lucy are 3.2 million years old, the Hadar Skull is 3.0 million years old & the Laetoli Footprints are 3.6 million years old.

5. Based on the description of each set of bones and the footprints, did this species live in trees or on land? Explain and defend your answer by referencing the evidence in your explanation.
I believe land, because Lucy's leg bones showed it being angular inwards as in humans

6. How did males and females of this species differ?
Males have larger muscle scars and females have a wider pelvic inlet.

7. How did the brains of this species compare to modern humans? What evidence supports this?
Small-sized brains about the size of chimps