A new analysis reveals clues about when primates started walking on two feet

By Nell Greenfieldboyce

Published January 2, 2026 at 4:32 PM EST

A big difference between humans and other apes is the ability to stride easily on two feet. A new analysis of fossil bones shows that adaptations for bipedal walking go back 7 million years.

Nell Greenfieldboyce

Nell Greenfieldboyce is a NPR science correspondent.

See stories by Nell Greenfieldboyce

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