Final answer:
Sahelanthropus tchadensis is a hominin species that lived approximately seven million years ago, near the time when humans and chimpanzees diverged.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geological Age of Sahelanthropus tchadensis:
The geological age of Sahelanthropus tchadensis, a significant early hominin species, is dated to nearly seven million years ago (7 MYA). This species is believed to be very close to the divergence point of the line leading to modern humans and modern chimpanzees, which is estimated to have occurred between 5 and 7 MYA. The fossil specimen of Sahelanthropus tchadensis, known as “Toumai,” was discovered in Chad and has been a topic of intense study due to its mixture of primitive and evolved characteristics. It possesses a small cranial capacity similar to that of a chimpanzee and anatomic features suggesting it was not completely bipedal.