SMALL FEET - LARGE STEPS The development of bipedal locomotion as the first stage in human evolution

Bipedal locomotion is the first feature to arise during human evolution and therefore used to define the beginning of the hominid/hominin clade. This review paper is aimed to present a general overview of main theories on where, when and why this novel mode of locomotion arose. As understanding of necessary anatomical changes and adaptations related to bipedalism is crucial for understanding hominid/hominin evolution, most important of these changes are summarized. Further, origin of bipedalism is traced through the fossil record for hominid/hominin evolution and most important fossils showing bipedal adaptations.