Sahelanthropus Tchadensis

Sahelanthropus Tchadensis

Early Human species

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Table of Contents

Who

When

Where

found him?

did he live?

did he live?

Description of Tumaï, a Sahelanthropus

What

How

is still uknown?

did he live?

Sources

Who found him ?

Sahelanthropus tchadensis was discovered in 2001 by a team of researchers led by French paleontologist Michel Brunet. The fossil remains, including a nearly complete skull nicknamed Toumaï, were found in the Djurab Desert of Chad. This discovery was significant because it pushed back the estimated timeline of human evolution, suggesting that early hominins may have lived closer to 7 million years ago. Brunet and his team identified Sahelanthropus tchadensis as a possible early hominin based on its mix of primitive and derived traits, particularly its facial structure and small canines, which resemble those of later hominins.

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Where did he live ?

In West-central Africa : all fossils of Sahelanthropus tchadensis have been recovered from the Toros-Menalla site in the Djurab desert of Chad. He could stand on his feet, so he was adapted to both the grasslands and forests. The environment it inhabited was likely subject to climatic variations, influencing its survival strategies and mobility.

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When did he live ?

This period corresponds to a crucial phase in human evolution, close to the divergence between the ancestors of modern humans and chimpanzees. Some debates remain regarding the exact dating due to the challenges of working with fragmented fossil records in complex geological contexts.

Sahelanthropus tchadensis lived between 6.9 and 7.2 million years ago, based on radiometric dating of volcanic ash and biochronological analysis of associated fossils. The dating was determined by studying the surrounding sediment layers in the Djurab Desert, Chad, where the fossils were discovered in 2001. Paleontologists used stratigraphic correlation with other well-dated sites and faunal comparisons to refine the estimated age.

Sahelanthropus tchandesis lived between 6.9 and 7.2 million years ago.

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How did he live ?

Sahelanthropus tchadensis likely lived in a mixed environment of forests, woodlands, and open areas, as suggested by the fossilized animal and plant remains found at the discovery site. Its anatomy, particularly the structure of the foramen magnum, indicates that it may have been capable of some form of bipedalism, although it likely also moved through trees using quadrupedal locomotion. There is no direct evidence of tool use, as no stone tools have been discovered alongside its fossils, but it may have used simple objects like sticks or stones, similar to modern great apes. Its teeth, with thick enamel and reduced canines, suggest an omnivorous diet, possibly consisting of fruits, leaves, seeds, and small animals.

What is still unkown?

Sahelanthropus tchadensis is an extinct primate species belonging to the hominin lineage, considered one of the earliest representatives of human evolution. Its skull exhibits a mix of primitive traits, such as a small brain size similar to that of chimpanzees, and more advanced features, including a flattened face and small canines, which link it to early hominins. Some researchers suggest that it may have been partially bipedal, making it a potential candidate for a direct ancestor of humans or at least a close relative of the branch that led to modern hominins.

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3. Teeth and Jaw

1. Brain Size

The cranial capacity is estimated at ~350 cm³, similar to that of modern chimpanzees. This suggests a small brain compared to later hominins.

The canines are relatively small and not as sharp as those of apes, suggesting a shift towards hominin-like dentition. The enamel is thick, indicating an adaptation to a mixed diet..

4. Foramen Magnum

2. Facial Structure

The position of the foramen magnum (where the spine connects to the skull) is more forward than in apes. This suggests Toumaï may have had some ability for bipedal locomotion, though this is debated.

The face is short and flat, resembling later hominins rather than great apes. The brow ridges are massive, even larger than those of modern gorillas.

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Sources

• wikipedia.org
• humanorigins.si.edu
• australian.museum
• thesciencesurvey.com

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