The scanning focused upon Little Foot's cranial vault — the upper part of her braincase — and her lower jaw, or mandible. Little Foot's species blended ape-like and human-like traits and is considered a possible direct ancestor of humans. Little Foot lived in a tropical forested area, "and for some reason, she fell into the cave," said Clarke. Beaudet told the BBC that it's believed Little Foot fell through an opening in the floor of the cave where she was found. The skeleton of Little Foot is seen in Sterkfontein, South Africa in this undated handout photo.

Source: CBC News March 02, 2021 15:19 UTC