
LUCY

.   Present-day speculation about human evolution revolves about a group of 
fossils called australopithecines and, in particular, a specimen called Lucy, 
a 40% complete skeleton. Lucy was discovered by D. C. Johanson in the Afar 
area of Ethopia during investigations conducted from 1972-1977. 

.   In a National Geographic article (December 1976) Johanson claimed that: 
"The angle of the thigh bone and the flattened surface at its knee joint 
end...proved she walked on two legs. " 

.   However, the knee joint end of the femur was severely crushed; therefore, 
Johanson's conclusion is pure speculation. Anatomist Charles Oxnard, using a 
computer technique for analysis of skeletal relationships, has concluded that 
the australopithecines did not walk upright, at least not in the same manner 
as humans. In this connection, it should be mentioned that the chimpanzee 
spends a considerable amount of time walking upright. Thus, there is no 
scientific basis for a conclusiion of bipedalism in Lucy. Lucy and her 
relatives are probably just varieties of apes. 

.   Finally, there is evidence that people walked upright before the time of 
Lucy. This would include the Kanapoi hominid and Castenedolo Man. Obviously if 
people walked upright before the time of Lucy, then she must be disqualified 
as an evolutionary ancestor. 


From  the book "The Collapse of Evolution"
                by Scott M. Huse
                Baker Book House
                Grand Rapids, Michigan 49516

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