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Functional reconstruction of gait from the Pliocene hominid footprints at Laetoli, northern Tanzania

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Abstract

Direct measurements of fossilized Pliocene hominid footprints yield only spatial information, such as the length and angle of step1–4. A more complete description of gait requires temporal information so that parameters such as the number of steps taken per minute (cadence) or speed of walking can be calculated. The relationships between step length, cadence and speed of walking have been worked out for modern man and regression equations of high predictability are available5. When measurements from the hominid footprints are fitted to these equations a pattern of gait emerges which contradicts previous reconstructions. As we report here, the pattern of gait consistent with the reported footprint measurements from Laetoli is one that might be described as ‘strolling’, in which the stride is quite short, even when related to the maker's height.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1

    J. Charteris, J. C. Wall & J. W. Nottrodt

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  1. J. Charteris
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  2. J. C. Wall
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  3. J. W. Nottrodt
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Charteris, J., Wall, J. & Nottrodt, J. Functional reconstruction of gait from the Pliocene hominid footprints at Laetoli, northern Tanzania. Nature 290, 496–498 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/290496a0

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