Oxford-led palaeontology
researchers have discovered some of the oldest, and smallest, remains of our
human relatives in Egypt.
The mini teeth, jaw and facial bones of the two fossilised anthropoids are 37
million years old, two million years older than most previous discoveries. The
smallest weighs an estimated 160-270 grams. Dr Eric Seiffert, university
lecturer and project co-leader, said it “filled a major gap in our
understanding” and was interesting because the large eye socket of the Biretia
megalopsis suggests it was nocturnal.ARCHIVE: 2nd week MT 2005
Fossils
