Did A Fall From A Tree Kill Lucy Analysis

Did a Fall From a Tree Kill Lucy, Our Famous Ancestor? Adam Hoffman opens his discussion by describing our first human ancestor, Lucy, who is believed to be alive 3.18 million years ago. According to research, some fractional injuries could point to her falling to her death. Hoffman includes a statement from John Kappelman which states that this is the first autopsy of her cause of death to date. Donald Johanson discovered Lucy in 1974, and claims that Lucy’s bone breakage matches that of other fossil creatures of her time, according to Hoffman. However, she is one of the most complete hominin fossils despite the damages received from the taphonomy. Hoffman points out the conflicting views of her death, considering that she has a dental mark in her pelvis, but nowhere else. Moreover, Hoffman states that a team of specialists were able to utilize CT scans to determine the types of fragments in this skeleton. Kappelman was able to refute that the fragments occurred after her death by
proving that her fractures were similar to how living bones break through the uses of recreative methods. Hoffman concludes through Kappelman’s research that a fall from a great height is evident in Lucy’s death. Moreover, her arms fractures are consistent to those one would receive from bracing a fall of great distance. Kappelman even refers an orthopedic surgeon who came to the same conclusion. Hoffman also mentions that these hominins were typical of residing in the trees. While there is resistance, Kappelman is confident in his theory. Hoffman’s article is long enough to cover the depth of the material efficiently.
Moreover, the material covered is highly specialized and may seem hard to follow for readers without a background in anthropology. There are several concepts, such as the idea of primate ancestry, that everyday people might not comprehend. This article might also receive resistance from those who do not agree with evolution, or even outright denial. I personally enjoy this article and the way the author presents the information. It is helpful for readers to have both sides of the argument, and Hoffman presents this skill when he includes the opposing views of other esteemed researchers. Not only does Hoffman present this information well, but also he ties the information with evidence from reliable sources, which boosts this article and keeps it entertaining. Hoffman is an excellent writer and does a good job stimulating his reader, assuming they have some background in anthropology or general
science. Biological anthropology mainly focuses on the study of humans and non-human primates, which is evident in the case of Lucy. Likewise, Lucy is an important discovery in the world of anthropology because she is the earliest known hominin ancestor shared with homo sapiens. This discovery ties into biological anthropology because it covers human origin and the concept of evolution, and is a prime example of how evolution takes place. The fact that Lucy died 3.18 million years ago shows that evolution is a slow, gradual change in species over a long period of time, and thus; provides for the basis of anthropology. Moreover, the discussion of taphonomy, or the study of the process of fossilization, is another focus in biological anthropology. The way Lucy was fossilized is key to determining hominin ancestry, as expressed in this article. Lucy will continue to be used in anthropology for years to come, especially in the field of biological anthropology.