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Sahelanthropus tchadensis

fossil hominin

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Sahelanthropus tchadensis is a fossil hominin discovered in Chad, dating between 7 and 6 million years ago. It is considered the earliest candidate for hominin status. While its skull shows some humanlike traits, such as a reduced canine tooth and a less projecting face, its brain size was ape-like. It is uncertain if Sahelanthropus tchadensis walked upright, as only a cranium and jaw fragments have been found. The foramen magnum's position suggests a potentially upright posture, but it is unlikely to be a direct ancestor of Homo sapiens. This fossil highlights the complex and experimental nature of human evolution, with early hominins exhibiting a mix of ape and human characteristics.12

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