How Old Was Lucy, the First Human, When She Died?
When Lucy, the famous Australopithecus afarensis fossil, was discovered in 1974, scientists estimated her age at 20-25 years old. This was based on the fusion of the sutures in her skull and the wear and tear on her teeth, which are indicative of age in humans. However, a new study published in the journal "Nature" suggests that Lucy may have been much younger when she died, perhaps as young as 17 years old.
The study's authors used a new method to estimate Lucy's age based on the development of her teeth. They found that the root of her third molar was not fully formed, which suggests that she was still a teenager when she died. This finding is significant because it challenges the previous assumption that Lucy was an adult when she died, and it provides new insights into the growth and development of early hominins.
Relevant Questions and Answers
- How was Lucy's age originally estimated?
- Based on the fusion of her skull sutures and tooth wear.
- What new method was used to estimate Lucy's age?
- Analysis of her tooth development.
- How old was Lucy when she died according to the new study?
- Possibly as young as 17 years old.
- What does this new finding suggest about Lucy's life history?
- She may have been a teenager when she died, rather than an adult.
- How does this research contribute to our understanding of early hominins?
- It provides new insights into their growth and development.
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