Anthropology shaken by sensational find: a mysterious ancient hominin who lived in present-day Chad about 7 million years ago is once again at the center of heated scientific debate. Since its discovery in the early 21st century, the species’ remains have sparked controversy: was it a direct ancestor of humans, or just a distant relative with no descendants in our lineage? Today, a fresh look at these bones challenges our long-held beliefs about when and how our ancestors first stood on two legs.
The question of which ancient primate first dared to leave the safety of the trees and step onto the ground has always fascinated human evolution researchers. Now an international team claims in a new study that Sahelanthropus tchadensis—nicknamed Toumaï—had anatomical features that clearly indicate it could walk upright. This discovery not only adds vivid detail to the portrait of our distant forebears but also raises new questions about how the human gait evolved.
Ancient bones
After the skull and several bones of Toumaï were found in the African sands in 2001, fierce debate erupted. Some researchers saw him as the oldest representative of the human line, while others dismissed him as merely an ape by chance on evolution’s path. The core of the controversy: could this hominin walk on two legs, or did it move like modern chimpanzees, knuckle-walking on all fours?
The latest analysis, conducted using 3D models and comparisons with the bones of other species, has revealed three key features that cannot be ignored. First, Sahelanthropus tchadensis showed a unique twist of the femur, allowing the legs to move forward and facilitating walking. Second, it had well-developed gluteal muscles, essential for pelvic stability when moving on two legs. And finally, most striking is the presence of a special bump on the thigh, where a powerful ligament attaches—a trait found only in bipedal hominids.
The Ancestor Debate
These findings sparked strong reactions from both supporters and critics of the theory linking Toumaï directly to humans. Some argue that if Sahelanthropus truly walked upright, this means the habit of bipedalism emerged much earlier than previously believed. Others insist that even with such features, it does not make it our direct ancestor—perhaps it represents a parallel branch of evolution that never led to Homo sapiens.
Nevertheless, the new data offers a fresh perspective on the evolution of walking. It turns out that even creatures with brains the size of modern chimpanzees could confidently move around on the ground without losing their tree-climbing skills. This challenges the long-held stereotype that bipedalism must be linked to increased brain size and the development of intelligence.
Life on the Edge
Researchers note that Sahelanthropus tchadensis was a true all-rounder. Not only could it walk on the ground, but it also thrived in the trees, where it found food and escaped predators. This lifestyle required both flexibility and endurance, as well as a unique combination of anatomical features rarely seen in modern primates.
Yet despite its resemblance to apes, Toumaï had features that bring it closer to humans. Its skeleton suggests that evolution did not follow a straight path but rather a complex trajectory full of twists and dead ends. Each new fragment of ancient bone is not just a discovery, but a key to understanding how our unique ability to walk upright was formed.
If you didn’t know, Sahelanthropus tchadensis is one of the oldest known hominids; its remains were discovered in Chad in 2001. It is estimated to be about 7 million years old, making it a key figure in the study of early human evolution. The name “Toumaï” translates from the local language as “hope of life.” The remains of this creature still spark heated debates among anthropologists and paleontologists worldwide.
