New discovery about prehistoric people

Humans start walking on two legs much earlier than previously thought, according to a new scientific study published.

Until now, we still believe that humans started walking straight and walking with their feet about 1.9 million years ago. However, a group of scientists, led by Dr. Robin Crompton of the University of Liverpool (UK), discovered human footprints dating back about 3.7 million years.

Australopithecus afarensis is believed to have been able to walk straight on two feet 3.7 million years ago. Photo: Getty Images

The team found 11 footprints in stone in Laetoli, Tanzania. These footprints are similar to modern footprints when standing upright, rather than the footprints of other primates such as chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas.

The footprints discovered are believed to be of Australopithecus afarensis - a prehistoric strain that may be the direct ancestor of modern humans today. Scientists have compared footprint analyzes with those of modern humans and monkeys.

The Daily Mail quoted Dr. Robin Crompton, head of the study, saying: ' Previous studies suggest that the Australopithecus strain can only stumble. However, the footprints discovered in Laetoli revealed, this human race was able to walk straight on two feet like humans today . '

In previous studies, scientists only detected single footprints. This makes it very difficult for scientists to determine whether this is a true or carved footprint.