6.4 mn-yr-old monkey fossils found in China: Scientists

Team Udayavani, Oct 12, 2020, 6:17 PM IST

Scientists claim to have found monkey fossils, about 6.4 million years old, in China.

A Pennsylvania State University researcher said they are some of the very oldest fossils of monkeys outside of Africa. The discovery indicates monkeys existed in Asia at the same time as apes and are probably the ancestors of some of the modern monkeys there, researchers said

As reported by Scitechdaily, the lower jawbone and upper portion of the leg bone indicate that the individual was female. They suggest that these monkeys were probably able to navigate in the trees and on land. The teeth indicate they could eat a wide variety of plants, fruits and flowers, while apes eat mostly fruit.