News Anthropology

Two tiny genetic shifts helped early humans walk upright

Changes in gene activity reshaped our ancestors’ hips, laying the foundation for bipedalism

A black and white illustration of a human skeleton and four primate skeletons in profile

Skeletons of a human, gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan and gibbon stand next to one another in this anatomical sketch. Scientists have uncovered two genetic shifts in humans that differentiate the pelvis from those of our primate relatives, allowing us to walk upright.

Grafissimo/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images Plus

By Roberta McLain

Two small genetic changes reshaped the human pelvis, setting our early ancestors on the path to upright walking, scientists say.