Popular Archeology

Marjorie Hecht is a longtime magazine editor and writer with a specialty in science topics. She is a freelance writer and community activist living on Cape Cod.

The Mystery of the Missing Apes Who Came Before Humans

The fossil record of our ape ancestors in Africa is almost nonexistent for a period of about 8 or 9 million years.

Tue, Jul 2, 2024

img:is([sizes=auto i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px}:root{--wp-block-synced-color:#7a00df;--wp-block-synced-color--rgb:122,0,223;--wp-bound-block-color:var(--wp-block-synced-color);--wp-editor-canvas-background:#ddd;--wp-admin-theme-color:#007cba;--wp-admin-theme-color--rgb:0,124,186;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10:#006ba1;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10--rgb:0,107,160.5;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20:#005a87;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20--rgb:0,90,135;--wp-admin-border-width-focus:2px}@media (min-resolution:192dpi){:root{--wp-admin-border-width-focus:1.5px}}.wp-element-button{cursor:pointer}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}:root{--wp--preset--font-size--normal:16px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge:42px}.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-normal-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--normal)}.has-huge-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--huge)}.has-text-align-center{text-align:center}.has-text-align-left{text-align:left}.has-text-align-right{text-align:right}.has-fit-text{white-space:nowrap !important}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px;word-wrap:normal !important}.screen-reader-text:focus{background-color:#ddd;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000}html :where(.has-border-color){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-color]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-color]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-color]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-color]){border-left-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-width]){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-width]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-width]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-width]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-width]){border-left-style:solid}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}:where(figure){margin:0 0 1em}html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:var(--wp-admin--admin-bar--height,0px)}@media screen and (max-width:600px){html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:0px}}.wp-block-image>a,.wp-block-image>figure>a{display:inline-block}.wp-block-image img{box-sizing:border-box;height:auto;max-width:100%;vertical-align:bottom}@media not (prefers-reduced-motion){.wp-block-image img.hide{visibility:hidden}.wp-block-image img.show{animation:show-content-image .4s}}.wp-block-image[style*=border-radius] img,.wp-block-image[style*=border-radius]>a{border-radius:inherit}.wp-block-image.has-custom-border img{box-sizing:border-box}.wp-block-image.aligncenter{text-align:center}.wp-block-image.alignfull>a,.wp-block-image.alignwide>a{width:100%}.wp-block-image.alignfull img,.wp-block-image.alignwide img{height:auto;width:100%}.wp-block-image .aligncenter,.wp-block-image .alignleft,.wp-block-image .alignright,.wp-block-image.aligncenter,.wp-block-image.alignleft,.wp-block-image.alignright{display:table}.wp-block-image .aligncenter>figcaption,.wp-block-image .alignleft>figcaption,.wp-block-image .alignright>figcaption,.wp-block-image.aligncenter>figcaption,.wp-block-image.alignleft>figcaption,.wp-block-image.alignright>figcaption{caption-side:bottom;display:table-caption}.wp-block-image .alignleft{float:left;margin:.5em 1em .5em 0}.wp-block-image .alignright{float:right;margin:.5em 0 .5em 1em}.wp-block-image .aligncenter{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}.wp-block-image :where(figcaption){margin-bottom:1em;margin-top:.5em}.wp-block-image.is-style-circle-mask img{border-radius:9999px}@supports ((-webkit-mask-image:none) or (mask-image:none)) or (-webkit-mask-image:none){.wp-block-image.is-style-circle-mask img{border-radius:0;-webkit-mask-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\"><circle cx=\"50\" cy=\"50\" r=\"50\"/></svg>");mask-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\"><circle cx=\"50\" cy=\"50\" r=\"50\"/></svg>");mask-mode:alpha;-webkit-mask-position:center;mask-position:center;-webkit-mask-repeat:no-repeat;mask-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-mask-size:contain;mask-size:contain}.wp-block-image.is-style-circle-mask img.nitro-lazy{mask-image:none !important}}:root :where(.wp-block-image.is-style-rounded img,.wp-block-image .is-style-rounded img){border-radius:9999px}.wp-block-image figure{margin:0}.wp-lightbox-container{display:flex;flex-direction:column;position:relative}.wp-lightbox-container img{cursor:zoom-in}.wp-lightbox-container img:hover+button{opacity:1}.wp-lightbox-container button{align-items:center;backdrop-filter:blur(16px) saturate(180%);background-color:rgba(90,90,90,.25);border:none;border-radius:4px;cursor:zoom-in;display:flex;height:20px;justify-content:center;opacity:0;padding:0;position:absolute;right:16px;text-align:center;top:16px;width:20px;z-index:100}@media not (prefers-reduced-motion){.wp-lightbox-container button{transition:opacity .2s ease}}.wp-lightbox-container button:focus-visible{outline:3px auto rgba(90,90,90,.25);outline:3px auto -webkit-focus-ring-color;outline-offset:3px}.wp-lightbox-container button:hover{cursor:pointer;opacity:1}.wp-lightbox-container button:focus{opacity:1}.wp-lightbox-container button:focus,.wp-lightbox-container button:hover,.wp-lightbox-container button:not(:hover):not(:active):not(.has-background){background-color:rgba(90,90,90,.25);border:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay{box-sizing:border-box;cursor:zoom-out;height:100vh;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:fixed;top:0;visibility:hidden;width:100%;z-index:100000}.wp-lightbox-overlay .close-button{align-items:center;cursor:pointer;display:flex;justify-content:center;min-height:40px;min-width:40px;padding:0;position:absolute;right:calc(env(safe-area-inset-right) + 16px);top:calc(env(safe-area-inset-top) + 16px);z-index:5000000}.wp-lightbox-overlay .close-button:focus,.wp-lightbox-overlay .close-button:hover,.wp-lightbox-overlay .close-button:not(:hover):not(:active):not(.has-background){background:none;border:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay .lightbox-image-container{height:var(--wp--lightbox-container-height);left:50%;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;top:50%;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);transform-origin:top left;width:var(--wp--lightbox-container-width);z-index:9999999999}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-block-image{align-items:center;box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;height:100%;justify-content:center;margin:0;position:relative;transform-origin:0 0;width:100%;z-index:3000000}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-block-image img{height:var(--wp--lightbox-image-height);min-height:var(--wp--lightbox-image-height);min-width:var(--wp--lightbox-image-width);width:var(--wp--lightbox-image-width)}.wp-lightbox-overlay .wp-block-image figcaption{display:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay button{background:none;border:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay .scrim{background-color:#fff;height:100%;opacity:.9;position:absolute;width:100%;z-index:2000000}.wp-lightbox-overlay.active{visibility:visible}@media not (prefers-reduced-motion){.wp-lightbox-overlay.active{animation:turn-on-visibility .25s both}.wp-lightbox-overlay.active img{animation:turn-on-visibility .35s both}.wp-lightbox-overlay.show-closing-animation:not(.active){animation:turn-off-visibility .35s both}.wp-lightbox-overlay.show-closing-animation:not(.active) img{animation:turn-off-visibility .25s both}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.active{animation:none;opacity:1;visibility:visible}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.active .lightbox-image-container{animation:lightbox-zoom-in .4s}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.active .lightbox-image-container img{animation:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.active .scrim{animation:turn-on-visibility .4s forwards}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.show-closing-animation:not(.active){animation:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.show-closing-animation:not(.active) .lightbox-image-container{animation:lightbox-zoom-out .4s}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.show-closing-animation:not(.active) .lightbox-image-container img{animation:none}.wp-lightbox-overlay.zoom.show-closing-animation:not(.active) .scrim{animation:turn-off-visibility .4s forwards}}@keyframes show-content-image{0%{visibility:hidden}99%{visibility:hidden}to{visibility:visible}}@keyframes turn-on-visibility{0%{opacity:0}to{opacity:1}}@keyframes turn-off-visibility{0%{opacity:1;visibility:visible}99%{opacity:0;visibility:visible}to{opacity:0;visibility:hidden}}@keyframes lightbox-zoom-in{0%{transform:translate(calc(( -100vw + var(--wp--lightbox-scrollbar-width) ) / 2 + var(--wp--lightbox-initial-left-position)),calc(-50vh + var(--wp--lightbox-initial-top-position))) scale(var(--wp--lightbox-scale))}to{transform:translate(-50%,-50%) scale(1)}}@keyframes lightbox-zoom-out{0%{transform:translate(-50%,-50%) scale(1);visibility:visible}99%{visibility:visible}to{transform:translate(calc(( -100vw + var(--wp--lightbox-scrollbar-width) ) / 2 + var(--wp--lightbox-initial-left-position)),calc(-50vh + var(--wp--lightbox-initial-top-position))) scale(var(--wp--lightbox-scale));visibility:hidden}}.is-small-text{font-size:.875em}.is-regular-text{font-size:1em}.is-large-text{font-size:2.25em}.is-larger-text{font-size:3em}.has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:left;font-size:8.4em;font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:.68;margin:.05em .1em 0 0;text-transform:uppercase}body.rtl .has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:none;margin-left:.1em}p.has-drop-cap.has-background{overflow:hidden}:root :where(p.has-background){padding:1.25em 2.375em}:where(p.has-text-color:not(.has-link-color)) a{color:inherit}p.has-text-align-left[style*="writing-mode:vertical-lr"],p.has-text-align-right[style*="writing-mode:vertical-rl"]{rotate:180deg}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#0693e3 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,#fcb900 0%,#ff6900 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,#ff6900 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px #fff,6px 6px #000;--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px #000}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin:0}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin:0}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important}.article-template-default .row{margin-right:auto !important;margin-left:auto !important}

Marjorie Hecht

The Mystery of the Missing Apes Who Came Before Humans

Recent Articles

Directory

Recent Issues

Main Sections