Scientists have reconstructed the well-preserved skull of a European great ape using CT scans, suggesting that it could be one of the earliest ancestors of the human race. The species, Pierolapithecus catalaunicus, existed in Europe between 15 and seven million years ago along with other now-extinct ape species. The researchers hoped that studying this species could provide insights into human evolution, as they were able to find both a cranium and partial skeleton from the same individual, which is rare. By using CT scans, the scientists were able to virtually reconstruct the ape’s skull and compare it to other primate species. They discovered that Pierolapithecus shares facial similarities with both fossilized and living great apes, while also possessing distinct facial features not found in other apes from the same period. The researchers believe that the cranium of Pierolapithecus is similar in shape and size to the ancestor from which both humans and living great apes evolved. This research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could be crucial to understanding human evolution.
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