Our Ancestors' Children Scaled Trees, Three Million Year Old 'Dikika Toddler' Foot Reveals

Our Ancestors' Children Scaled Trees, Three Million Year Old 'Dikika Toddler' Foot Reveals

5 years ago
Anonymous $cyhBy-qkd5

http://www.newsweek.com/our-ancestors-children-scaled-trees-three-million-year-old-dikika-toddler-1008769

Our ancient ancestors had to deal with tree-climbing toddlers, new research has revealed. The three million year old foot of an ancient child nicknamed "Selam" suggests she was built for scaling trunks as well as walking on two feet. What's more, the toddler found in Dikika, Ethiopia, was probably better at climbing than her parents.

The most complete foot of an ancient child discovered yet, this tiny clutch of bones no larger than a human thumb has shed light on the mysterious lives of our ancestors. Selam used her adaptable feet to scamper up into the trees when under threat, researchers suggested in a study published in the journal Science Advances.