CA-20260924-2132High Exam Priority
University of the Witwatersrand study dates human terrestrial bipedalism transition to 1.8 million years ago
24 September 2026
4 min read
A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that archaic humans transitioned from regular tree climbing to walking upright on the ground 1.8 million years ago. Researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Southern California analyzed limb bone strength from fossil skeletons to reach this conclusion.
Key Highlights
- Researchers established that archaic humans shifted from tree climbing to habitual terrestrial bipedalism 1.8 million years ago.
- The study was conducted by scientists from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) and the University of Southern California.
- The findings were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Science Advances.
- Researchers analyzed internal bone shaft strength of fossil skeletons, including a 3.67-million-year-old Australopithecus (Little Foot) and a 1.8-million-year-old archaic human from Georgia.
Exam Quick Facts
Nodal Ministry / Dept
Not Applicable
Key Bodies
University of the Witwatersrand, University of Southern California
Constitutional & Legal Context
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Static GK Connection
Paleoanthropology studies human evolution through fossil evidence. The divergence of human and chimpanzee lineages occurred approximately 9.3 to 6.5 million years ago.