How old are the Ardipithecus kadabba fossils from Ethiopia?

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skeleton of “Ardi” — Ardipithecus Reconstructed frontal view of the skeleton of “Ardi,” a specimen belonging to the early hominid species *Ardipithecus ramidus*.

The Ardipithecus kadabba fossils discovered in the Awash River valley of Ethiopia date to between 5.2 and 5.8 million years ago.12

These remains, which include fragments of limb bones, isolated teeth, and a partial mandible, represent an early chronospecies of the genus Ardipithecus. While some researchers have associated a toe bone exhibiting bipedal anatomy with this species, it is important to note that this specific fossil was recovered from sediments approximately 400,000 years younger than the primary Ar. kadabba specimens, leading some scientists to suggest it may belong to a different early hominin species.32