Definition
Mary Leakey (1913-1996) was a British paleoanthropologist and archaeologist. She made significant discoveries of early hominin fossils in East Africa. Her most famous find was the Laetoli footprints in Tanzania, which provided evidence of early bipedalism. Leakey worked alongside her husband, Louis Leakey, and continued her research after his death. Her meticulous work and dedication advanced our understanding of human evolution. She is one of the most influential women in paleoanthropology.