Eleven of these caves contain evidence of G. blacki and the other eleven – of a similar age range – do not. We used these data sets to establish exactly when G. blacki dropped out of the fossil record, to define a “window of extinction”. Furthermore, we gained a wealth of information from G. blacki teeth themselves – from isotopic signatures, trace elements and the wear patterns on the surface of the teeth. It reveals the rise and fall of G. blacki in comparison to its closest primate relative – the orangutans. Stronger seasonsSurprisingly, G. blacki went extinct between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago, much more recently than previously assumed.

Source: The Hindu January 17, 2024 01:55 UTC