Toumaï: hominid or monkey?

2002/11/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Paleontologia
• Giza zientziak
• Arkeologia

Toumaï, a hominid that lived 6-7 million years ago, was declared the oldest hominid discovered last July. This has sparked intense debate among paleontologists.

These statements were made by the paleontologist who led the discovery of Michel Brunet. After a year of cranial research, he published his article in the journal Nature.

But not all agree on these conclusions, and point out that some of the features of Toumaïr's skull are closer to the families of the great monkeys. American paleontologist Milford Wolpoff also said that to ensure that Toumaï is a hominid it is necessary to prove that he is a bipedal and that, until confirmed, Toumaï will be considered a quadrupede.

Given the contradictory views of paleontologists, it seems that the debate will continue to last, at least as long as no more fossils are found to advance the study.