"Unveiling the Evolution of Bipedalism: Clues from an Ancient Ape's Inner Ear"
A new study of the inner ear of a 6-million-year-old ape, Lufengpithecus, suggests that the evolution of human bipedalism was a three-step process bridging the gap between tree swinging and walking on solid ground. By digitally scanning the fossils and comparing the inner ear structure to living and extinct apes, researchers were able to piece together a clearer picture of how early human ancestors began to walk, indicating a gradual emergence of bipedalism from a mix of movements. This finding sheds light on the transition from four-limbed scramble to two-legged amble, providing insight into the evolution of human locomotion.