Overview
- The Science paper, published Thursday, names Masripithecus moghraensis from Wadi Moghra in northern Egypt and dates it to roughly 17–18 million years ago.
- Researchers identified the species from lower‑jaw fragments and teeth that show ape‑like molars and large canines, which suggest a mostly fruit diet with the ability to crack harder foods, while its body form and movement remain unknown.
- A Bayesian tip‑dating analysis that combines fossil ages, anatomy, and DNA from living species places Masripithecus closer to the lineage of today’s apes than coeval East African apes.
- Biogeographic modeling points to northeastern Afro‑Arabia or the eastern Mediterranean as a likely home region for the common ancestor of modern apes, with lowered sea barriers at times creating a natural corridor into Eurasia.
- The find highlights big gaps in the fossil record outside East Africa and has prompted calls for new fieldwork across North Africa and the Middle East to test the northerly origin idea with more complete remains.