In 2026, CT scans showed 3.7-million-year-old “Little Foot” had ape-like arm strength but human-like leg loading, suggesting a mix of climbing and upright walking

Little Foot, a nearly complete ancient skeleton, showcases fascinating hominid characteristics. With strong, ape-like arms and legs that mirror human anatomy, her structure suggests a remarkable duality in movement that facilitated both climbing and walking upright. This evolutionary shift, which preceded the appearance of more robust leg bones in Homo species, reflects a transition towards greater reliance on land-based mobility alongside significant increases in brain capacity among our ancestors.