Researchers are still trying to pinpoint when the two lineages -- chimps and humans -- split from their common ancestor . Scientists have unveiled a 4.4 million - year - old skeleton of a hominid monkey . The fossil , nicknamed Ardi , may be the oldest hominid skeleton ever found . It replaces Fang , a much - older skeleton that dates back about 3 million years . Scientists : Ardi suggests monkeys and humans descended from a common ancestor .
Scientists have unveiled a 4.4 million - year - old skeleton of a hominid monkey . The fossil , nicknamed Ardi , may be the oldest hominid skeleton ever found . It replaces Fang , a much - older skeleton that dates back about 3 million years . Scientists : Ardi suggests monkeys and humans descended from a common ancestor .