Illustration of Graecopithecus freybergi, an ape that lived 7.2 million years ago in south-eastern Europe
Velizar Simeonovski, Chicago
Recent findings suggest that apes may have been walking upright in what is now Bulgaria 7.2 million years ago. Researchers have uncovered a leg bone at the Azmaka site near Chirpan, southern Bulgaria, which displays characteristics indicative of bipedal walking.
This leg bone predates any known hominin fossils, including those from Africa, hinting at the possibility that bipedality, a significant development in human evolution, may have originated in Europe rather than Africa.
Lead researcher Madelaine Böhme from the University of Tübingen in Germany remarks, “The oldest indications for bipedality are found in Europe.”
The Azmaka site has yielded a 7.2 million-year-old right thighbone, nearly complete at 21.5 centimetres in length, with only a portion of the lower end missing. Referred to as “Diva,” this discovery is hailed as a significant find by experts like Clément Zanolli from the University of Bordeaux.
Analysis of the femur reveals features that support bipedal locomotion, such as a neck structure that can support vertical load, thicker bone density at the base to withstand weight, and muscle attachment points consistent with an upright posture.
However, some researchers remain cautious, noting that while the femur exhibits biped-like features, it also displays quadruped-like characteristics, making it challenging to definitively determine the locomotor behavior of the individual.
Further exploration is needed to solidify the evidence of bipedality in Europe and establish the relationship between Graecopithecus and other ape and hominin species. Additional specimens and a more comprehensive understanding of the fossil record are essential before drawing firm conclusions.
These findings add to the ongoing debate surrounding early hominin evolution and migration patterns, suggesting the possibility of European origins for key developments in human ancestry before potential migration to Africa and subsequent evolution into modern humans.
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