Little Foot
Australopithecus prometheus
Estimated age
3.67 million years
Discovery location
Sterkfontein Caves, Silberberg Grotto
Discovered by
Ron Clarke (1994-1997)
Significance
Little Foot (StW 573) is one of the most complete Australopithecus skeletons ever discovered. The near-complete skeleton took over 20 years to excavate from the cave breccia.
Scientific interpretation
The skeleton shows a mix of bipedal and arboreal adaptations, suggesting Little Foot was comfortable both walking upright and climbing trees.
Archaeological evidence
Found deep within the Silberberg Grotto at Sterkfontein, the skeleton was embedded in calcified cave sediments (breccia) and required painstaking excavation.
Related publications
- Clarke, R.J. (2019). Excavation, reconstruction and taphonomy of the StW 573 Australopithecus prometheus skeleton. Journal of Human Evolution.
- Clarke, R.J. & Kuman, K. (2019). The skull of StW 573, a 3.67 Ma Australopithecus prometheus skeleton from Sterkfontein Caves.
Interactive 3D model
[3D model slot — embed via Elementor once licensing is confirmed]