The divergence between the great ape and human lineages occurred in Africa approximately 8 and 6 million years ago. Currently, paleontological discoveries have led to the recognition that three genera simultaneously appeared as the oldest known Hominids.
* Sahelanthropus tchadensis, better known as Toumaï, dated 7 million years ago, in Chad;
* Orrorin tugenensis dated 6 million years ago, in Kenya;
- Ardipithecus kadabba, dated between 5.7 and 5.2 million years ago, discovered in Ethiopia;
* Ardipithecus ramidus (practically complete skeleton), dated 4.4 million years ago in Ethiopia.
Features of ardipithecines:
- the occipital foramen is in a clearly advanced position at the base of the skull;
- the molars, with still thin enamel, are relatively large (especially in width) compared to chimpanzees but smaller compared to australopithecines.
Lifestyle of ardipithecines:
The remains of fossil fauna and flora describe wetlands, forests and wooded savannahs. The teeth suggest that they were omnivores and frugivores with a diet that did not rely on harsh or abrasive foods.
ARDIPITHECUS RAMIDUS : 4,4 Million Years. Middle Awash (Ethiopia)
SAHELANTHROPUS TCHADENSIS : 7 Million Years. Toros Menalla (Tchad)
ORRORIN TUGENENSIS : 6 Million years. Lukeino (Kenya)
Australopithecus afarensis,
Dinknesh (Lucy)
This fossil, one of the most complete Australopithecus remains ever discovered, is approximately 3.2 million years old. Found in Ethiopia in 1974 by a Franco-American team led by Yves Coppens, Denkinesh was 20 years old, 1.20 meters tall, and weighed around 30 kilograms. She walked upright on her very short legs but had long arms that enabled her to climb trees.
THE LAETOLI FOOTSPRINTS
The Laetoli footprints, discovered in Laetoli, Tanzania, by Mary Leakey, are the oldest known evidence of hominin bipedalism. Well-preserved in volcanic ash, these footprints were left by an adult hominid and a child. They date back approximately 3.5 million years and are attributed to Australopithecus Afarensis.
