Based on fossil footprints, it has been concluded that the southern ape living in the African savannas moved in an upright position. Their bone structure, as determined by the fossil finds, also supports this. The southern apes lived 6 to 1,6 million years ago. Their brains, about 500 cubic centimeters in size, were no larger than those of chimpanzees.

The southern apes used sticks and stones as tools for gathering and defending their food. The upright posture of the apes freed their hands to search for food over a wider area and to transport food over longer distances.

Their upright posture also gave the advantage of being able to detect predators more easily in a grassland environment. During dry periods, the southern apes had to extend their search for food to greater distances. The upright posture used less energy when compared to the four-legged posture of previous organims.

The best-known primate fossil discovery was made in Ethiopia during the early 1970s. The discovery concerned a southern ape fossil, which was determined to be 3.2 million years old. The fossil was named Lucy, as it has been inferred from the bones that the individual was a female who died at a young age. It has also been observed from the bones that in search of shelter and food, this southern ape was able to climb a tree with its muscular, elongated arms. Based on the dental analysis, Lucy's diet consisted mainly of fruit.

The genus Homo, a group of organisms including modern humans, is considered to have descended from Lucy’s species, Australopithecus. Apparently these two species did not compete with each other. Instead, the development of different diets in these two species allowed them to coexist.

Food was sought by searching, not by systematic hunting or cultivation. This is referred to as gathering. Hunting skills were only developed at a later stage in human evolution. Based on dental analysis, meat was also part of the southern ape diet, but it may have only been consumed when carcasses were left over by other predators.


Australopithecus africanus, or the southern ape of Africa.