The theory of evolution predicts that our species evolved from four-legged creatures to two-legged. But exactly when this transition took place is still unknown. A recent discovery has revealed a striking information about this history.
Examining the fossil belonging to the ‘Sahelanthropus tchadensis’ hominin species discovered in 2001 in the Taurus Menalla region of the Central African country of Chad, scientists observed the nationality and forearms of the fossils. By comparing the thigh and forearm fossils with human, chimpanzee and gorilla bones, the scientists were able to unravel the mechanics of how these bones were used and moved.
The creature had the same locomotion as humans:
The 20 characteristic points in the fossil of the species, which is believed to be the oldest representative of the human family tree, revealed whether the creature was quadrupedal or bipedal. The results showed that this creature possessed the ‘habitual bipedalism’ movement feature, which is the standard bipedal form that humans also have. However, it was shared that the creature can also climb trees.
With this result, scientists explained that the way some species climb trees differs from chimpanzees and gorillas. These species climbed trees with a firmer hand grip rather than the finger and toe bones of gorillas and chimpanzees.
It was shared that the creature whose fossil was found lived 7 million years ago. The research was published in the journal Nature.
The following skull was also found in the same area:
Scientists had discovered a skull of the same species in the same area where the fossil was found. This skull revealed that these ape-like creatures could have been bipedal. However, no definite results could be obtained. It is believed that this species probably walked on two legs in search of food and water, as well as climbing trees, living in a mixed environment of forest, palm and grassland.
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