NCEA Level 3 Biology – Human Evolution (AS91606) Practice Exam

The scientific name for the famous fossil known as "Lucy" is Australopithecus afarensis. This species is significant in the study of human evolution because Lucy, discovered in 1974 in Ethiopia, represents one of the most complete hominid skeletons found, dating back approximately 3.2 million years. Australopithecus afarensis exhibits key characteristics that illustrate the transition from tree-dwelling ancestors to bipedal locomotion, marking an important evolutionary step towards modern humans. The anatomical features of Lucy, including her pelvis and leg bones, provide evidence that she walked upright, which is a crucial development in the lineage leading to Homo sapiens. Understanding the traits of Australopithecus afarensis is essential for comprehending the evolutionary adaptations that occurred in early hominins.