# Discovery of the Smallest Ape Ever Found in Germany
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Chapter 1: A Remarkable Discovery
Scientists have recently unveiled what may be the smallest ape species ever identified, based on fragments of two teeth and a knee cap discovered in Germany. Weighing approximately 10 kg—similar to a small dog—this hominid lived around 11.6 million years ago.
The remarkable find was made at the Hammerschmiede site in Bavaria, southern Germany, which is renowned for its fascinating prehistoric discoveries.
Section 1.1: Introducing a New Hominid Species
The newly identified species, named Buronius manfredschmidi, dates back to the Miocene epoch and was detailed in the scientific journal PLOS One. Researchers from Germany and Canada collaborated on this significant discovery.
Despite the limited remains—only two fragmented teeth and a patella—these findings suggest that Buronius manfredschmidi was a skilled climber that primarily consumed soft foods like leaves. This species is notably smaller than modern humans, estimated to weigh around 10 kg, making it potentially the smallest known ape.
Section 1.2: Two Hominid Species Coexisting
The Bavarian discovery is significant for another reason. In 2019, Prof. Madelaine Böhme, one of the authors of the current study, published findings on another ancient bipedal ape, Danuvius guggenmosi, also from Hammerschmiede. Notably, both species existed during the same epoch, approximately 11.6 million years ago. If confirmed, this would be an unprecedented finding, as no European site has previously yielded more than one fossil ape species. Scientists believe that further examination of materials from other locations could lead to similar revelations.
Interestingly, Buronius appears to have lived a different lifestyle compared to Danuvius, which was larger and had a diet that included tougher foods. It's likely that these two species inhabited the same environment without direct competition, much like modern gibbons and orangutans that coexist in Borneo and Sumatra.
Chapter 2: Implications for Paleontology
The lead author of the study, paleontologist Prof. Madelaine Böhme from the University of Tübingen, emphasizes the importance of these findings. “The discoveries in southern Germany represent a pivotal moment in paleoanthropology, prompting us to reevaluate our understanding of hominid and human evolution,” Böhme states.
Both species found at Hammerschmiede were believed to be bipedal. However, some experts debate whether Danuvius should be classified as a distinct hominid species. The same question may arise for Buronius, and researchers will need time to analyze the data as the findings are still fresh. Previously, the oldest evidence of bipedalism was estimated at six million years old, while the two bipedal hominids from Germany could be twice that age. The oldest known evidence until now was discovered in Crete and Kenya.
This recent discovery adds fuel to the ongoing discussions surrounding hominid evolution and the origins of modern humans. In 2023, Prof. David Begun from the University of Toronto proposed a theory suggesting that long-extinct apes from modern-day Turkey may have migrated to Africa 7–9 million years ago, although he acknowledges that the narrative of human ancestors is predominantly linked to Africa.
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