Fossil Reveals What Last Common Ancestor of Humans and Apes May Have Looked Like

Faith & Science Conversation
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The following article was published in Scientific American:

Fossil Reveals What Last Common Ancestor of Humans and Apes May Have Looked Liked

The fossil skull is 13 million years old. It was just a baby, estimated to be around 16 months old when it died. It probably resembled a gibbon and ate mostly fruit. It has been given the name Nyanzipithecus alesi.

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What a cutie. Though what a crazy way to go :open_mouth (quoted below):

It remains uncertain how Alesi died. However, perhaps the infant was killed by the thick layers of ash from huge volcanic eruptions that covered the fossil, the researchers said.

I’d recommend finding a copy of the actual paper though:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v548/n7666/full/nature23456.html

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My first thought was…my what big eyes you have. Quick question… is the size of the teeth the only reason it will be labeled a new species?

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Yes, the eyes on this baby are big and cute. Not sure about your question, though. Will have to ask James Kidder the expert. (And you should read his posts about paleoanthropology on this site)

Hey @Jimpithecus, would you please help us out here?

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