Gigantopithecus: The Largest Ape to Ever Walk the Earth
Gigantopithecus, the largest ape known to have ever lived, has captivated scientists and enthusiasts alike with its immense size and mysterious existence. Standing an estimated 10 feet tall and weighing up to 1,200 pounds, this prehistoric herbivore once roamed the dense forests of Southeast Asia. Though it became extinct roughly 100,000 years ago, Gigantopithecus remains a fascinating subject for research, shedding light on the evolution of apes and the environmental challenges that shaped their existence.
Discovery and Fossil Evidence
The first fossil evidence of Gigantopithecus was discovered in the 1930s by a paleontologist named Ralph von Koenigswald. Interestingly, the fossils were found not in an excavation site but in an apothecary shop in China, where they were being sold ...
