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Animated Life: Mary Leakey

Topic

  • Evolution
  • Paleobiology
  • Human Evolution

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Animated Shorts

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:07:52
Saved By
4 Users
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Description

This animated short video illustrates the life and work of paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey, including her discovery of the Laetoli footprints.

The video uses animated paper puppets and narration by experts in the field to cover many highlights of Mary Leakey’s career. Forty years ago in Laetoli, Tanzania, a team of paleontologists led by Leakey discovered a set of 3.6-million-year-old fossil footprints of early hominins — likely our ancestors. Leakey described the discovery of the Laetoli footprints as one of her most important fossil finds.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.

Key Terms

Africa, anthropology, Australopithecus afarensis, bipedalism, hominin, Olduvai Gorge, paleontology, trace fossil

Primary Literature

Leakey, M. D. and R. L. Hay. “Pliocene footprints in the Laetoli Beds at Laetoli, northern Tanzania.” Nature 278, 5702 (1979): 317–323. https://doi.org/10.1038/278317a0.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Video files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 01.28.16
Date Updated 01.28.16

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS4.A

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-3

IB Biology (2016)

5.1

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1

Materials

HD (M4V) 292 MB
HD (WMV) 236 MB
SD (M4V) 62 MB
SD (WMV) 64 MB
Transcript (PDF) 239 KB

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Interactive Video Builder

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