In 2009 scientists found foot bones at the Woranso-Mille site in the Afar Rift in Ethiopia. The fossils are about 3.4 million years old. Researchers now say the bones belong to Australopithecus deyiremeda, a species that lived at the same time as Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis).
The foot, called the Burtele Foot, includes eight bones. At first researchers hesitated to name a species from these parts, but after later finds they linked the foot to A. deyiremeda. Scientists also studied teeth to learn about diet.
Tooth isotope results show A. deyiremeda ate foods from trees and shrubs. By contrast, Lucy’s species ate a wider range that included grasses and sedges. The foot shape shows a grasping big toe and long toes for climbing.
Difficult words
- fossil — remains of very old plants or animalsfossils
- species — group of similar living organisms
- isotope — one form of an element with different atoms
- diet — types of food an animal eats
- grasp — to take and hold something with the handgrasping
- sedge — a grass-like plant that grows in wetlandssedges
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think scientists studied teeth as well as bones?
- Would a grasping big toe help an animal climb trees? Why or why not?
- Do you think it is important to name a species from only a few bones? Explain briefly.
Related articles
Why Rechargeable Batteries Lose Performance
Researchers found that repeated charging and discharging makes batteries expand and contract, causing tiny shape changes and stress. This “chemomechanical degradation” and spreading strain reduce performance and shorten battery life, and imaging revealed how it happens.
Study: Low numbers of women in science academies
An international analysis finds women made up about 19% of academy members in 2025, with little change in recent years. The report highlights leadership gaps, higher reports of harassment, and calls for stronger gender equality measures.