Why was the discovery of Sahelanthropus tchadensis important?
Why was the discovery of Sahelanthropus tchadensis important?
History of Discovery: Before 2001, early humans in Africa had only been found in the Great Rift Valley in East Africa and sites in South Africa, so the discovery of Sahelanthropus fossils in West-Central Africa shows that the earliest humans were more widely distributed than previously thought.
What are the features of the Toumaï skull?
The discovery included a nearly complete, yet distorted, skull (nicknamed Toumaï, meaning “hope of life” in the local Goran language). Although very primitive, the skull, jaw and teeth displayed some hominid-like traits. For instance, the species had a relatively flat face instead of a protruding muzzle like a chimp.
What is the cranial capacity of Sahelanthropus tchadensis?
The brain size of this erstwhile hominid was only about 350 cc, similar to that of a modern chimpanzee (human mean cranial capacity is 1350 cc). Moreover, the skull has the same general appearance as that of a chimpanzee.
What evidence is there that Orrorin was bipedal?
The most important fossil of this species is an upper femur, showing evidence of bone buildup typical of a biped – so Orrorin tugenensis individuals climbed trees but also probably walked upright with two legs on the ground.
Did orrorin Tugenensis use tools?
There is no evidence for any specific cultural attributes. However, it may have used simple tools similar to those used by modern chimpanzees including: twigs, sticks and other plant materials that were easily shaped or modified.
Where is orrorin Tugenensis?
central Kenya
History of Discovery: A research team led by French paleontologist Brigitte Senut and French geologist Martin Pickford discovered this species in the Tugen Hills region of central Kenya. They found more than a dozen early human fossils dating between about 6.2 million and 6.0 million years old.
Was orrorin Tugenensis bipedal?
Evolution of bipedalism According to recent studies Orrorin tugenensis is a basal hominid that adapted an early form of bipedalism. It has been suggested by Pickford that the many features Orrorin shares with modern humans show that it is more closely related to Homo sapiens than to Australopithecus.
What did Orrorin tugenensis do?
According to recent studies Orrorin tugenensis is a basal hominid that adapted an early form of bipedalism. Based on the structure of its femoral head it still exhibited some arboreal properties, likely to forage and build shelters.
What did the Orrorin tugenensis look like?
Living around 6 million years ago, Orrorin tugenensis is the one of the oldest early humans on our family tree. Individuals of this species were approximately the size of a chimpanzee and had small teeth with thick enamel, similar to modern humans.
