An early<i>Australopithecus afarensis</i>postcranium from Woranso-Mille, Ethiopia

TLDR

Only a single partial skeleton of *Australopithecus afarensis* has been reported, and its small size limits insights into the species’ paleobiology. The study describes a large-bodied *Australopithecus afarensis* specimen dated to 3.58 Ma, predating the famous Lucy skeleton. The specimen reveals limb proportions, thoracic morphology, and locomotor traits that confirm advanced bipedality and a thoracic shape distinct from living African apes. Reference: A.L.

Abstract

Only one partial skeleton that includes both forelimb and hindlimb elements has been reported for Australopithecus afarensis . The diminutive size of this specimen (A.L. 288-1 ["Lucy"]) has hampered our understanding of the paleobiology of this species absent the potential impact of allometry. Here we describe a large-bodied (i.e., well within the range of living Homo ) specimen that, at 3.58 Ma, also substantially antedates A.L. 288–1. It provides fundamental evidence of limb proportions, thoracic form, and locomotor heritage in Australopithecus afarensis . Together, these characteristics further establish that bipedality in Australopithecus was highly evolved and that thoracic form differed substantially from that of either extant African ape.