Mystery foot suggests a second early human relative lived alongside Lucy

Scientists have discovered that a mysterious foot found in Ethiopia belonged to a previously unknown ancient relative similar to Lucy.

In the latest twist in human evolution, scientists have discovered that a mysterious foot found in Ethiopia belonged to a previously unknown ancient relative.

Dated to around 3.4 million years ago, the species was likely similar to Lucy, an ancient human relative who lived in the area at around the same time, according to a study published Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature.

But researchers found that the Burtele foot — named after the place in northeastern Ethiopia where it was discovered in 2009 — was unmistakably different.

With an opposable big toe resembling a human thumb, the fossilized Burtele foot suggests its owner was a skilled climber, spending more time in the trees than Lucy, the study said.

Elements of the Burtele foot, discovered in Ethiopia in 2009.Yohannes Haile-Selassie / Institute of Human Origins Arizona State via AFPFor decades, Lucy’s species was considered the ancestor of all later hominids — an ancient relative more closely related to humans, including Homo sapiens, than to chimpanzees.