Possible overlap between early humans and Gigantopithecus in Asia. Gigantopithecus sites found in southern China, Vietnam, and Thailand Homo erectus sites in China dated to 1.77 million years ago located mainly in the north Tam Kak in Vietnam potentially contains both human and Gigantopithecus remains
Gigantopithecus fossils span southern China, Vietnam, and Thailand, while Homo erectus sites in northern China date to 1.77 million years ago. Tam Kak in Vietnam potentially contains both human and Gigantopithecus remains. Denisovans and Neanderthal-like humans were in the region by 200,000 years ago. Given the geographic proximity of sites, humans likely encountered these giants - though no evidence suggests humans hunted them or directly caused their extinction. 🧬📍
Key Facts
- Gigantopithecus sites found in southern China, Vietnam, and Thailand
- Homo erectus sites in China dated to 1.77 million years ago located mainly in the north
- Tam Kak in Vietnam potentially contains both human and Gigantopithecus remains
- Denisovans and Neanderthal-like humans were present in China by 200,000 years ago
- Author suggests humans likely encountered Gigantopithecus given proximity of sites
- No evidence that humans hunted or directly caused their extinction
Source: Did we ever meet Gigantopithecus? by Stefan Milo