Lucy, our famous ancestor, died from falling from the tall tree. The latest analysis showed that Lucy’s death was caused by the fatal falling. Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have revealed a pattern of distinctive fractures of bones.
The research team and its leader John Kappelman, a professor of anthropology, have studied multiple fractures of bones, which are demonstrating no signs of healing. So, paleontologists concluded, Lucy sustained these injuries in a fatal traumatic event.
Lucy, our famous ancestor, has suffered very much from the consequences of her fall from the height. Her pelvic bones had a trace of fractures, say the scientists. A new analysis of the fossil has revealed to the science much more data that previous one (fossils called Lucy were found 40 years ago in Ethiopia).
Professor John Kappelman, the lead author of the study, which was published Monday in Nature, noted:
“I knew these fractures were there, I just never thought to ask what had caused them. No one, as far as I know, has ever put out a theory of how she died.”
Other paleontologists believe that Kappelman’s theory (Lucy falls from a tree and dies) is controversial because Lucy’s bones could be cracked after her death.
