Life in Lucy's Time
A changing world
Human primate ancestors were forest dwelling only 6-7 million years ago in Africa. This was a geological time period known as the Pliocene. During this time, which lasted to 1.6 million years ago, the Earth experienced continental changes that resulted in differences in the extent of the sub-tropical forest, isolation of some patches of forest, and the appearance of primates who lived part of the time on the ground and part in trees. One of whom was Lucy, who roamed the Earth 3.2 million years ago.
The world was much warmer than now. Forests grew as far north as the Arctic coast of Greenland. Much less ice covered the poles, and the warmer seas reached between 30 and 35 meters above current levels.
A dangerous paradise
For Lucy, Ethiopia was a world of grassy savannahs and forests. There was water to drink and fruit to eat. Grass was fully established on Earth and the plants supported a variety of grazing wildlife. The diet of Australopithecines like Lucy consisted of plants, most likely fruits, leaves, and grass. However, it is also thought that Australopithecines may have scavenged food from kill sites of other predators as well.
In addition to being beautiful, it was a dangerous world. Zebra, wildebeest gazelles, and the Deinotherium – a giant type of elephant with inward facing tusks - as well as the deadly sabre-toothed cat known as Dinofelis, were common sights. Evidence exists that Australopithecines were part of the ancient leopard’s diet.
A different earth
During this period, continents continued to drift from as far as 250km toward their present positions. Africa collided with Europe, forming the Mediterranean Sea and cutting off the remnants of the Tethys Ocean. South America became linked to North America through the Isthmus of Panama during this period. Because of this, warm equatorial ocean currents were cut off from the Atlantic and the cold Arctic and Antarctic waters began a cooling cycle in the isolated Atlantic.
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