Sahelanthropus as earliest bipedal hominin

New limb‑bone analyses published in Science Advances suggest Sahelanthropus tchadensis (≈7 Ma) shows functional traits consistent with habitual bipedalism. If accepted, this moves a key behavioral marker for hominins earlier in time and places important evolutionary developments in central Africa rather than only East Africa. — An earlier, more geographically diverse origin for bipedalism changes textbooks, public narratives about human uniqueness, and priorities for African fossil surveys and funding.