Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

This face hasn’t been seen in 12 million years!

Pierolapithecus catalaunicus is a primate fossil found in Spain, but the skull was shattered into tiny fragments. Thanks to high-res micro-CT scans, scientists finally pieced it back together. Led by Leakey Foundation grantee Dr. Kelsey Pugh, this work reveals where this species may fall on the great ape and human family tree…

Support research like this through the link in our bio.

Credits:
Niba @notesbyniba: Producer, Host, Writer
Meredith Johnson: Associate Producer, Script Editor
Institutions:
American Museum of Natural History
CENIEH
Institut Català de Paleontologia (ICP)

#fossils #scicomm #science #primatefossils #paleoanthropology