This paper reviews a number of recent advances in understanding the evolution of the human foot. The foot has gradually changed from the grasping and clinging organ of early Eocene and Miocene and Miocene primate ancestors to the specialized weightbearing structure of modern. Recent studies have indicated that postcranial remains conmensurate with the requirements of bipedal locomotion may have been present as far back as 3½ million years ago in the forerunners of modern man known as the australopithecines. Subsequent modifications appear to be refinements to increase the efficiency of weight transmission in habitual bipedallsm.
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