Nature July 2002 PMID 12110880

A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa.

Michel Brunet, Franck Guy, David Pilbeam, Hassane Taisso Mackaye, Andossa Likius, Djimdoumalbaye Ahounta, Alain Beauvilain, Cécile Blondel, Hervé Bocherens, Jean-Renaud Boisserie, Louis De Bonis, Yves Coppens, Jean Dejax, Christiane Denys, Philippe Duringer

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Mentions

188

Peak: 25 in Jun 2022

across 5 sources since May 2021

Extended reach

1,516,467

potential audience

Total likes

26,656

Video views

1,287,371

Mentions per month

May 2021 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

News90 articles
X / Twitter65 posts
Blogs29 articles
YouTube2 videos
Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The posts reflect a range of reactions from curiosity to skepticism, with mentions of topics like bipedalism, knuckle-walking, and the origin of hominids, emphasizing the discovery's potential to challenge traditional narratives. The tone varies from informative to critical, which demonstrates active engagement and recognition of the discovery’s significance in understanding human evolution.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

Discussions express some support and curiosity about the research, but also include skepticism and calls for further evidence, leading to a neutral agreement score.

InterestModerate interest

Many posts show curiosity about the findings, especially regarding early hominid evolution, but some express only mild interest or focus on clarifying misconceptions.

EngagementModerate engagement

Numerous discussions reference specific scientific concepts like bipedalism and knuckle-walking, indicating active engagement with the material.

ImpactModerate impact

Conversations highlight the importance of this discovery in reshaping views on human ancestry, suggesting moderate impact on scientific understanding and popular perceptions.

Abstract in brief

The discovery of six hominid fossils in Chad, Central Africa, including a nearly complete skull, extends the known geographic range of early hominids beyond East Africa and suggests they lived between 6 to 7 million years ago.
The fossils show a mix of primitive and advanced features, leading to the identification of a new genus and species, indicating early hominids had more diverse characteristics than previously thought.
The findings imply that early human ancestors were more widely spread across Africa and that the divergence between humans and chimpanzees may have occurred earlier than current molecular studies suggest.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Re-evaluating Our Understanding of the Last Common Ancestor

Did we evolve from a knuckle-walking ape? This video explores the debate surrounding human ancestry with insights from Professor DeSilva. Using recent research, we delve into the implications of new findings on the…

Stefan Milo · Jun 25, 2022 1,281,009 views

Dating the First Human: Toumaï and Beryllium Isotope Analysis

This episode explores the radiometric dating of Sahelanthropus tchadensis, focusing on Toumaï's skull and beryllium isotopes. The discovery's context and debates are discussed, highlighting the significance of these…

GEOSPOIL · May 13, 2021 6,362 views

A Sintjago

@Sintjaga · X

https://t.co/JzfSlu7BC4

Aug 18, 2025 · 1 followers View post →

Reality Matters-Whether You Believe In It Or Not

@IainSim55659177 · X

Were We Wrong About the Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/EFXMVsgDuC

Jun 1, 2025 · 1,048 followers View post →

Dee

@DeeMaceo · X

@MLauryn_x Scientific Publication •Primary Source: Brunet, M., et al. (2002). A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa. Nature, 418(6894), 145–151. •Journal: Nature (a peer-reviewed scientific journal). •DOI: 10.1038/nature00879

Jan 11, 2025 · 56 followers View post →

Robert Walker

@jwalker28057853 · X

We've been walking upright for a long time. https://t.co/Cefz1sRhZ3

Sep 16, 2024 · 681 followers View post →

Robert Walker

@RobertW54170706 · X

We've been walking upright for a long time. https://t.co/NnyotZ5xJw

Sep 16, 2024 · 6 followers View post →

やまのり

@yamanori99 · X

@kuchibirusensei @daihiko 一般的には、アウストラロピテクスやサヘラントロプスとかなんですかね。 Brunet et al. (2002), “A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa.” Johanson et al. (1978), “A new species of the genus Australopithecus (Primates: Hominidae) from the Pliocene of eastern …

Sep 15, 2024 · 438 followers View post →

bertschmit

@bertus161057 · X

https://t.co/YgnhzbfVGo

Feb 18, 2024 · 2,216 followers View post →

Larry Rowe

@oldtimer1968 · X

We may have been ground apes a long long time ago: https://t.co/1qeRvEkvFc

Jan 24, 2024 · 4,708 followers View post →

Larry Rowe

@oldtimer1968 · X

https://t.co/1qeRvEkvFc

Jan 24, 2024 · 4,708 followers View post →

Larry Rowe

@oldtimer1968 · X

we came from: https://t.co/1qeRvEkvFc

Jan 24, 2024 · 4,708 followers View post →

Sock Puppet (MAGAtroll)

@SockPuppet38227 · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/hZE4oOfG0m via @YouTube

Jan 23, 2024 · 326 followers View post →

J.K.

@K55555IgA · X

https://t.co/VTuFD7zvfN

Oct 29, 2023 · 8 followers View post →

Random Opinions

@ProcappersP · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/pVSmeDDxtq via @YouTube

Aug 28, 2023 · 149 followers View post →

Siddhant Singh

@siddysin · X

@ultrcrpidarian @prenkuchan That we didn't evolve from apes but share a common ancestor is pretty well-known. The popular 'March of Progress' illustration is a misleading one. As for the recent evidence, see this short 15 min clip. https://t.co/lMSnh39xTi

Feb 3, 2023 · 206 followers View post →

☘ Sadyojata ☘

@Sadyojata1 · X

Were we wrong about the last common ancestor? Is the image of a knucle-walking ancestor a very human-centric view of our march? What do ardipithecus' metacarpals tell? https://t.co/51dZlJsd5o

Jan 26, 2023 · 964 followers View post →

Reality Matters-Whether You Believe In It Or Not

@IainSim55659177 · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/pXLJADwuD7

Dec 26, 2022 · 1,048 followers View post →

Sandy Lanceley

@sandylanceley · X

TIL it’s entirely possible our ancestors millions of years ago weren’t knuckle walkers like chimps & gorillas, and in fact chimps & gorillas may have turned into knuckle walkers from bipedal ancestors. https://t.co/KpCRRwS2LL

Dec 15, 2022 · 1,396 followers View post →

Stefan Milosavljevich

@Historysmilo · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/Jbt9ORImiZ

Dec 14, 2022 · 6,947 followers View post →

Cleve Hicks

@Cleve_Hicks · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/9910ghoi9D via @YouTube

Oct 29, 2022 · 1,950 followers View post →

Augustus Sean Villanueva

@augustus_sean · X

@TalesofKaimere here's something to help with that video https://t.co/MbocgfhKkV

Oct 23, 2022 · 333 followers View post →

Olophus

@Olophus1 · X

RT @clarkjosephf: .@desilva_jerry has argued that the ancestors of all living African apes descend from an ancestor who “walked” bipedally…

Oct 21, 2022 · 1 share · 49 followers View post →

Osemedua

@meduaiwel · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/aEvCi9ILpP via @YouTube

Sep 3, 2022 · 379 followers View post →

Nell Whiteside

@scividence · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/BFXr7a8nZF via @YouTube

Sep 3, 2022 · 556 followers View post →

Petra

@VintageMom17 · X

The Science is settled!!!!!! (spoiler alert: it isn't!) https://t.co/xJSfXCsBBZ

Aug 11, 2022 · 1,259 followers View post →

sales_un

@sales_un · X

RT @StatedClearly: Tired of dragging your knuckles? See new vid by @Historysmilo https://t.co/Wuk2z5ivqC Stefan's Rules: 1 Use only acade…

Jul 24, 2022 · 3 shares · 646 followers View post →

Ms. Jupiter

@newsfromneptune · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/yuuZbNGGeX via @YouTube

Jul 20, 2022 · 189 followers View post →

Sarah Jansen

@sarahjansencom · X

RT @StatedClearly: Tired of dragging your knuckles? See new vid by @Historysmilo https://t.co/Wuk2z5ivqC Stefan's Rules: 1 Use only acade…

Jul 19, 2022 · 3 shares · 1,803 followers View post →

Stefan Milosavljevich

@Historysmilo · X

RT @StatedClearly: Tired of dragging your knuckles? See new vid by @Historysmilo https://t.co/Wuk2z5ivqC Stefan's Rules: 1 Use only acade…

Jul 19, 2022 · 3 shares · 6,947 followers View post →

Stated Clearly - Jon Perry

@StatedClearly · X

Jul 19, 2022 · 10 likes · 3 shares · 4,557 followers View post →

Joel López Parés

@jovepaleontoleg · X

RT @huw_groucutt: Were we wrong the Last Common Ancestor (of humans and non-human apes)? https://t.co/y9fmebhC22

Jul 18, 2022 · 4 shares · 1,445 followers View post →

Julio Sanjuan Arias

@homoemotionalis · X

RT @huw_groucutt: Were we wrong the Last Common Ancestor (of humans and non-human apes)? https://t.co/y9fmebhC22

Jul 18, 2022 · 4 shares · 665 followers View post →

Cowudi

@Cowudi · X

RT @huw_groucutt: Were we wrong the Last Common Ancestor (of humans and non-human apes)? https://t.co/y9fmebhC22

Jul 18, 2022 · 4 shares · 648 followers View post →

Roberto Sáez

@robertosaezm · X

RT @huw_groucutt: Were we wrong the Last Common Ancestor (of humans and non-human apes)? https://t.co/y9fmebhC22

Jul 18, 2022 · 4 shares · 12,426 followers View post →

Huw Groucutt

@huw_groucutt · X

Were we wrong the Last Common Ancestor (of humans and non-human apes)? https://t.co/y9fmebhC22

Jul 17, 2022 · 11 likes · 4 shares · 10,378 followers View post →

Your other Grandma loves you as you are!

@Beverlylovesboi · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/AYmMik9rn9 via @YouTube

Jul 14, 2022 · 19,290 followers View post →

Floris Didden

@florisdidden · X

Source https://t.co/36GyvUlYkI

Jul 13, 2022 · 1 like · 3,502 followers View post →

OPEC Shill

@GPWRespecter · X

Were we wrong about the last common ancestor?https://t.co/kui1Ow1KUM

Jul 9, 2022 · 1,523 followers View post →

Ben Yandell

@Yandell_Ben · X

Lots of evidence that bipedalism developed very early. Now evidence that our ancestors may never have been knuckle-walkers. I recommend this presenter. BTW, the so-called "march of progress" was never intended to be used as we often see. https://t.co/GYfazXmUZ1 via @YouTube

Jul 9, 2022 · 17 followers View post →

I Yam Muddie

@IMudlet · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/lDVIPGMBac via @YouTube

Jul 3, 2022 · 977 followers View post →

Cleve Hicks

@Cleve_Hicks · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/9910ghoi9D via @YouTube

Jul 3, 2022 · 1,950 followers View post →

reg challis

@RegChallis · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/JKBxA0RQCn via @YouTube

Jun 30, 2022 · 678 followers View post →

monte letourneau

@MonteLetourneau · X

Jun 30, 2022 · 64 followers View post →

Haplogroup Z-506 (غ)

@ajs3h · X

@hhhhhhbbhhbbbb @gabaqool @Sam65412862 @TurkFenrir @TomWentworth4 @nrken19 https://t.co/cmfOfV3xSs رايك

Jun 29, 2022 · 103 followers View post →

Only the one Hit Point.

@darjr · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/ZilPaoR3Ig via @YouTube

Jun 29, 2022 · 767 followers View post →

Yarenn Šagor (Re̍nni)

@YarennSagor · X

Interesting https://t.co/2eVsEQesUz

Jun 29, 2022 · 398 followers View post →

granderojo

@granderojo · X

https://t.co/1hq0RfGqxD

Jun 29, 2022 · 765 followers View post →

Larry Rowe

@oldtimer1968 · X

Simple Simon says: We ain't simple: https://t.co/aW5hs3gXfX

Jun 28, 2022 · 4,708 followers View post →

Draco Metallium

@DracoMetallium · X

RT @Goldrushcomic: The latest anthropology video from @Historysmilo is really excellent. https://t.co/E61uDrvpFc

Jun 27, 2022 · 1 share · 67 followers View post →

Miles Greb

@Goldrushcomic · X

The latest anthropology video from @Historysmilo is really excellent. https://t.co/E61uDrvpFc

Jun 27, 2022 · 6 likes · 1 share · 9,151 followers View post →

Сайтама

@plazmodijum · X

RT @Historysmilo: New video! Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? It’s about knuckles! https://t.co/Jbt9ORZpkZ via @YouTube

Jun 27, 2022 · 8 shares · 206 followers View post →

Greg Camp

@GregCampNC · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/6ohtznM1IL via @YouTube

Jun 26, 2022 · 2,730 followers View post →

clarkjosephf.bsky.social

@clarkjosephf · X

.@desilva_jerry has argued that the ancestors of all living African apes descend from an ancestor who “walked” bipedally through trees, supporting itself by holding onto overhead branches: https://t.co/5GgntfGYod

Jun 26, 2022 · 5 likes · 1 share · 2,115 followers View post →

Stefan Milosavljevich

@Historysmilo · X

Huge thanks to @desilva_jerry for appearing in my latest video and sharing his knowledge about bipedalism https://t.co/Jbt9ORZpkZ

Jun 25, 2022 · 15 likes · 6,947 followers View post →

Mathew Moloney

@Primarch359 · X

RT @Historysmilo: New video! Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? It’s about knuckles! https://t.co/Jbt9ORZpkZ via @YouTube

Jun 25, 2022 · 8 shares · 64 followers View post →

PaleoAnthropology+

@Qafzeh · X

RT @Historysmilo: New video! Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? It’s about knuckles! https://t.co/Jbt9ORZpkZ via @YouTube

Jun 25, 2022 · 8 shares · 50,473 followers View post →

YugoslavFubuki

@yugoslavfub · X

RT @Historysmilo: New video! Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? It’s about knuckles! https://t.co/Jbt9ORZpkZ via @YouTube

Jun 25, 2022 · 8 shares · 102 followers View post →

Mario C. Rosina

@MarioRosinaB · X

Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? https://t.co/NLnrQHyLFg a través de @YouTube

Jun 25, 2022 · 155 followers View post →

Diane23

@4everIndigo · X

RT @Historysmilo: New video! Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? It’s about knuckles! https://t.co/Jbt9ORZpkZ via @YouTube

Jun 25, 2022 · 8 shares · 1,822 followers View post →

ulvfugl

@ulvfugl · X

https://t.co/3chOhbjFHV

Jun 25, 2022 · 99 followers View post →

Igor Brejc

@breki74 · X

RT @Historysmilo: New video! Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? It’s about knuckles! https://t.co/Jbt9ORZpkZ via @YouTube

Jun 25, 2022 · 8 shares · 1,307 followers View post →

Matt Sibson

@MattSibson · X

RT @Historysmilo: New video! Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? It’s about knuckles! https://t.co/Jbt9ORZpkZ via @YouTube

Jun 25, 2022 · 8 shares · 35,659 followers View post →

Stefan Milosavljevich

@Historysmilo · X

New video! Were We Wrong About The Last Common Ancestor? It’s about knuckles! https://t.co/Jbt9ORZpkZ via @YouTube

Jun 25, 2022 · 53 likes · 8 shares · 6,947 followers View post →

Mathew Moloney

@Primarch359 · X

@Historysmilo released another BANGER. Still one of the most consistently informative and entertaining creators on @YouTube https://t.co/5uo0aMnYtL

Jun 25, 2022 · 64 followers View post →

Jesús Gamarra

@Gamarraptor · X

Jun 24, 2022 · 6 likes · 2,395 followers View post →

Lila

@fossilsfromlila · X

DOI: 10.1038/nature00879

May 7, 2021 · 8 followers View post →

A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Re-evaluating Our Understanding of the Last Common Ancestor

Dating the First Human: Toumaï and Beryllium Isotope Analysis