Final answer:
The oldest known hominid, Sahelanthropus tchadensis, was discovered in Chad in 2001-2002 and is dated to nearly seven million years ago. It has a cranial capacity similar to a chimpanzee and features that suggest it was not bipedal. While its exact place in the human evolutionary tree is unclear, Sahelanthropus tchadensis provides valuable insight into our understanding of human evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The oldest known hominid, Sahelanthropus tchadensis, was discovered in Chad in 2001-2002 and is dated to nearly seven million years ago. Sahelanthropus tchadensis, also known as 'Toumai,' is a fossil ape that shares both primitive and advanced characteristics. While it is unclear how Sahelanthropus tchadensis fits into the human evolutionary tree, it is not believed to be an ancestor of modern humans.
Some of the distinguishing features of Sahelanthropus tchadensis include a cranial capacity of approximately 350 cubic centimeters, which is similar to that of a chimpanzee. It also has a large brow ridge and the location of the foramen magnum suggests that it was not bipedal. Despite these differences, Sahelanthropus tchadensis is still an important fossil in understanding human evolution.