World’s oldest primate fossil discovered in China

The world’s oldest primate fossil has been discovered, questioning the long-held belief that primates began their evolution in Africa. Archicebus achilles was about the size of a large mouse. By digitally reconstructing the two divided halves of the fossil, the researchers have been able to examine it in detail, from its small eyes to its large, monkey-like feet.

The scientists say the fossil represents a point in evolution when primates diverged into two groups – tarsier primates and anthropoids – whose modern descendants include monkeys and humans.

Archicebus’s discovery now raises new questions about when and where the evolution of modern primates began. Report by Mark Morris.