Detecting the last ancestral fossils of humans and monkeys

Archaeologists have discovered a fossil skeleton of an ancient primates that is believed to be the last common ancestor of humans and monkeys.

The fossil Saadanius hijazensis may be the last common ancestor of humans and monkeys.Photo: Daily Mail.

The fossil skeleton of this ancient monkey species was found in Harrat Al Ujayfa, an area in western Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia). Scientists say the animal can weigh between 15 and 20 kilograms, living 29 to 28 million years ago. This animal was named by Saadanius hijazensis as archaeologists.

According to scientists at the University of Michigan, Saadanius hijazensis is not the same as any other monkey fossil ever found. So scientists think that it is possible that Saadanius hijazensis is the last common ancestor of humans and monkeys.

That is, from this monkey onwards, an evolutionary part of our humanity today and another part evolved into monkeys.

The point of separation between family and monkey family has always been a very interesting question of the archaeologists. However, in the evolutionary history of mankind, this important segment is still a gap.

Previously, based on the results of genetic research, paleontologists predicted that the time of separation between the two families was about 35 to 30 million years ago. However, aside from that theoretical hypothesis, scientists have yet to find fossils that can prove their hypothesis.

Therefore, the discovery of fossil Saadanius hijazensis may complement this missing section in the evolutionary picture of mankind. In addition, the study of living conditions as well as the existence of this animal will also help scientists answer many questions related to the origin of humanity.

"If we know something about this animal's age and living conditions, we can know what made the changes that led to the evolution of monkeys and humans." William Sanders, a paleontologist at the University of Michigan, said.

Source: Daily Mail