Primitive Ape like Ancestor in Himachal Pradesh

Scientists have discovered nine million years old ape fossil at Haritalyangar in Shiwalik hill’s region in Himachal Pradesh, about 120 km from Shimla on the road to Kangra. As per the discovery, the ape-like ancestor that was, till now, considered a native of only Eurasia had existed in India too.

The archaeologists stated that the fossils are found in the form of lower molar germs or permanent teeth. Additionally, the permanent teeth are un-erupted and still forming in the lower jaw, said the researchers.

The crowns of both the fully formed molars and absence of root formation indicates that the apes belonged to infants of slightly different ages at the time of their deaths.

One specimen is a partial right first molar and other a complete left second molar. The archaeologists added the apes seemed to be slightly larger (about 15 kg heavier) than the modern-day Siamang Gibbons. Earlier the Gibbons, apes in the family Hylobatidae, were found in the Himalaya and South-East Asia.

 Content: Hindustan Times