The curse of Toumaï: an ancient skull, a disputed femur and a bitter feud over humanity’s origins
The curse of Toumaï: an ancient skull, a disputed femur and a bitter feud over humanity’s origins  
Podcast: The Audio Long Read
Rating: Explicit Published On: Mon Jul 21 2025
Description: When fossilised remains were discovered in the Djurab desert in 2001, they were hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. But not everyone was convinced – and the bitter argument that followed has consumed the lives of scholars ever since By Scott Sayare. Read by Bert Seymour. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod