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The Laetoli footprints are a series of hominin footprints preserved in volcanic ash at Laetoli in Tanzania. Discovered in 1976 by paleontologist Mary Leakey and her team, these fossilized tracks provide crucial evidence of early human bipedalism.

The most famous set of prints, designated Site G, dates back approximately 3.6 million years. This trackway was made by at least two, possibly three, individuals walking across a damp layer of volcanic ash. Analysis of the prints suggests that these hominins were walking upright, exhibiting a gait remarkably similar to modern humans. This finding was significant because it predated other evidence for habitual bipedalism by millions of years.

The size and spacing of the footprints indicate that the individuals were of moderate height. The specific pattern of the prints, including the arch and toe alignment, strongly supports the conclusion that they walked on two feet, not on all fours or in a knuckle-walking fashion.

The volcanic ash that preserved the footprints came from the eruption of the Sadiman volcano, located nearby. The ash layer was subsequently covered by other sediments, protecting the prints from erosion until their discovery. The Laetoli footprints are considered one of the most important paleoanthropological discoveries, offering direct insight into the locomotion and behavior of our ancient ancestors.