Reconstructing Bipedal Locomotion of Fossil Hominids Using Biomechanics: Current State and Challenges

Abstract

The Australopithecus afarensis fossil skeleton “Lucy” and the Laetoli fossil footprint trails are the two most direct evidences to prove that the early hominins were bipedal. Recently, there have been attempts to reconstruct bipedal locomotion of the A. afarensis based on biomechanical analyses of the fossil skeleton and footprints. This article provides an overview of biomechanical methodologies used in reconstruction, namely, estimation of walking velocity using the theory of dynamic similarity and biomechanical simulation of bipedal locomotion based on musculoskeletal models. The results of the reconstructions are then examined, and future challenges for biomechanical reconstruction of early hominin locomotion are discussed.