The calcaneus of Australopithecus afarensis and its implications for the evolution of bipedality
- 1 March 1989
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in American Journal of Physical Anthropology
- Vol. 78 (3), 369-386
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330780306
Abstract
Calcanei from African apes, modern humans, and Australopithecus afarensis are compared to investigate the anatomical and mechanical changes that occurred in this bone as a result of the transition to terrestrial bipedality. Features analyzed include the cross-sectional area and volume of the calcaneal tuber, the geometry and orientation of the articular surfaces, and the surface topography of the calcaneal corpus. Calcaneal morphology is unequivocal in its partitioning of quadrupedal pongids and bipedal hominids.Keywords
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