Australopithecus afarensis

Australopithecus afarensis is an early hominin species that lived around 3.9 to 2.9 million years ago in Africa. They are important because they show a mix of human and ape-like features, such as walking upright on two legs but still having a apelike face and long arms for climbing. Fossil evidence, including the famous "Lucy," provides insights into human evolution, illustrating a transitional form between ancient primates and modern humans. These creatures help scientists understand how our ancestors adapted to new environments and became bipedal, a key step in human evolution.