AUSTIN, Texas // Scientists working on the fossil bones of the ancient human ancestor from Ethiopia dubbed Lucy determined that she was adept at climbing trees and walking.
Researchers last week announced the results of an intensive analysis of the 3.18-million-year-old fossils of Lucy, a member of a species early in the human evolutionary lineage known as Australopithecus afarensis.
Scans of Lucy’s arm bones showed they were heavily built, like those of chimpanzees, indicating this species spent significant time climbing in trees and used their arms to pull themselves up in the branches.
Australopithecus afarensis had a combination of apelike and human-like traits. Scientists knew its feet were adapted for walking upright on two legs but wondered if it still spent time in trees. The researchers performed high-resolution scans on Lucy’s fossils at the University of Texas and compared the findings to data on the bones of modern humans and chimpanzees.
“The debate about whether or not Lucy climbed trees has raged since her discovery 42 years ago and our study brings that debate to a close,” said John Kappelman, University of Texas palaeoanthropologist. The study was published in the journal Plos One.
The 1974 discovery of Lucy shed light on early stages of human evolution. Our species, Homo sapiens, appeared in Africa 200,000 years ago.
“Our analysis required well-preserved upper and lower limb bones from the same individual, something very rare,” said the study’s lead author Christopher Ruff, professor of functional anatomy and evolution at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The findings fit nicely with a study published in August by Dr Kappelman and other researchers that based on fractures in the fossils, said Lucy may have died after a fall from a tree.
Dr Kappelman hypothesised that Lucy, about 1.07 metres tall, foraged on the ground and sought nightly refuge in trees. Her injuries indicated she fell from a height of more than 12m.
“It may seem unique from our perspective that early hominins like Lucy combined walking on the ground on two legs with a significant amount of tree climbing, but Lucy didn’t know she was unique,” he said.
* Reuters
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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
More on Quran memorisation:
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
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Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Match info
Huddersfield Town 0
Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
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“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Previous men's records
- 2:01:39: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) on 16/9/19 in Berlin
- 2:02:57: Dennis Kimetto (KEN) on 28/09/2014 in Berlin
- 2:03:23: Wilson Kipsang (KEN) on 29/09/2013 in Berlin
- 2:03:38: Patrick Makau (KEN) on 25/09/2011 in Berlin
- 2:03:59: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 28/09/2008 in Berlin
- 2:04:26: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 30/09/2007 in Berlin
- 2:04:55: Paul Tergat (KEN) on 28/09/2003 in Berlin
- 2:05:38: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 14/04/2002 in London
- 2:05:42: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 24/10/1999 in Chicago
- 2:06:05: Ronaldo da Costa (BRA) 20/09/1998 in Berlin
Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
