A new theory for the social development of man is proposed based on the skeletal similarity between Ardi (Ardipithecus ramidus). It has been the standard theory to model the earliest social development of human ancestors on the chimpanzee because this species, along with the bonobo, is closest to man genetically. However, the chimpanzee, bonobo an gorilla are all knuckle walkers with "hunched over, constricted" skeletons.  Both Ardi and the orangutan have extended skeletons. This suggests that the two species had similar forms of locomotion and that Ardi spent virtually its entire life in the forest canopy as the orangutan does,  and there for that Ardi was pre-evolved for bipedal locomotion. It also suggests that Ardi might have exhibited social behavior similar to what the orangutan exhibits both in nature and when raised in rescue centers.