by Daniel Laberge
Human grooming

The first humans;
from knuckle-walking to bipedalism

Chimpanzee and human skeleton compared

Modern  chimpanzee

Homo sapiens

Our skeleton went through considerable straightening during our evolution.

Humans haven't invented bipedalism

The Savannah theory

Why give up knuckle-walking?

Apes can't swim

Chimpanzees stranded in a flooded forest

Flooded forest

© Col Ford and Natasha De Vere

No knuckle-walking for chimpanzees in this environment. They could only wade on two feet or swim to get around.

Afterwards;

Back to knuckle-walking? No way!

Forest after a flood

© Col Ford and Natasha De Vere

What did our chimpanzee-like ancestors do after the extended flood?

Flat of the knuckles

The skin on your knuckles is delicate

and isn't conceived to support your weight.

Early humans still living in the trees

Only one race of humans left

More primate info

Chimpanzee and human skeleton compared
Flooded forest
Forest after a flood