he teeth were unearthed in soil sediments that have been dated as being between 10 million and 11 million years old. With an age of more 10 million years, Chororapithecus must have predated the origin of the human lineage, which is believed to have split off from the apes at least eight million years ago.
But the discovery of such an old gorilla-like ape suggests that the split between humans and other apes may have been even earlier, the scientists say.
"Most molecular and DNA studies have concluded that humans and gorillas had split by at least eight million years ago, and humans and chimps by five to six million years ago," they said. "Chororapithecus indicates a reconsideration of this assumption is needed."
Note this: "It was our last day of field survey in February 2006, when our sharp-eyed field assistant, Kampiro Kairente, found the first ape tooth,"
Scary how often all the good stuff is found on the last day.