Question

The fossil Sahelanthropus tchadensis from the Djurab Desert of Chad, dated at 6 to 7 million years ago, may be a hominin (i.e., share more recent common ancestry with humans than with any other ape because of ________.

1) its relatively large brain

2) the shape of its thighbones

3) its sophisticated use of stone tools

4) fossil footprints showing bipedal locomotion

5) its relatively flat face

Answer 1

The fossil Sahelanthropus tchadensis from the Djurab Desert of Chad, dated at 6 to 7 million years ago, may be a hominin because of fossil footprints showing bipedal locomotion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is 4) fossil footprints showing bipedal locomotion.

Sahelanthropus tchadensis is considered to be a hominin based on the discovery of fossilized footprints that show evidence of bipedal locomotion. Bipedalism, or walking on two feet, is a distinguishing characteristic of hominins and sets them apart from other apes.

Sahelanthropus tchadensis also exhibits other traits associated with hominins, such as a slightly more upright posture, reduced canine teeth, and a more rounded skull shape, but the fossil footprints provide the most direct evidence of its bipedal adaptation.