Egypt Fossil Jaw Suggests Modern Apes Originated in North Africa

A fossilized jaw discovered in northern Egypt suggests that the common ancestor of all living apes may have originated in North Africa, challenging the long-held scientific view that East Africa was the cradle of modern ape ancestors.

The specimen, named Masripithecus moghraensis, was recovered from Wadi Moghra, a fossil site in northern Egypt. The discovery was made during fieldwork conducted in 2023 and 2024 by the Sallam Lab team from Mansoura University.

According to research published in the journal Science on March 26, 2026, the fossil dates back to the Early Miocene epoch, approximately 17 to 18 million years ago. This marks the first unambiguous fossil ape identified in North Africa.

Anatomical Evidence and Diet

The recovered specimen consists of a fragment of the lower jaw, including several teeth. While no skull or postcranial limb bones were found, the mandible provides enough diagnostic information to identify the species and its habits.

The anatomy of the jaw is described as robust, featuring notably large canines and premolars. The molars possess rounded and heavily textured chewing surfaces.

Based on these physical characteristics, the research team interprets Masripithecus moghraensis as a dietary generalist. The evidence suggests the animal was primarily frugivorous but possessed the dental structure necessary to crack harder foods during periods when fruit was scarce.

Shifting the Evolutionary Timeline

For years, paleontologists have focused on East Africa as the origin point for modern apes, as the majority of early ape fossils have been unearthed in that region, near the forests where gorillas and chimpanzees still reside.

The discovery of Masripithecus moghraensis suggests a different geographic origin. Because the fossil dates to 17 to 18 million years ago, it predates the known dispersal of ancient ape ancestors from Africa into Eurasia, which occurred between 14 and 16 million years ago during the middle Miocene.

Shorouq Al-Ashqar, a paleontologist at Mansoura University and author of the study, stated that among known hominoid fossils, the team believes the specimen is the closest relative to the living apes and their ancestors.

Context of Hominoid Evolution

Hominoids are the group of primates that includes humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons. Understanding where this group first diverged is central to reconstructing the primate family tree.

The Early Miocene was a period characterized by climatic flux, during which Arabia and Northern Africa became more seasonal. The presence of an ape in northern Egypt during this time provides new insight into how these primates moved across the continent before migrating into Eurasia.

The research indicates that the gap in the North African fossil record existed largely because paleontologists had not been searching in the regions where these ancestors lived.