Weekly Insights for Thinkers

STORY

Extinction: Gigantopithecus

By Michael Alan Prestwood

Tue 28 May 2024
Published 2 years ago.
Updated 2 years ago.
Share :

Extinction: Gigantopithecus

100,000 BCE

Gigantopithecus is believed to have gone extinct approximately 100,000 years ago. The primary evidence for their existence and extinction comes from fossilized teeth and jawbones found in caves in southern China, Vietnam, and India.

About King Kong: The legend of King Kong is a modern fiction rather than an ancient tale. The character of King Kong was created by American filmmaker Merian C. Cooper and first appeared in the 1933 film “King Kong.” The story was a product of contemporary imagination, inspired by adventure tales, the fascination with exotic locations, and early 20th-century interest in dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.

However, the idea of enormous ape-like creatures has roots in various cultures’ mythologies and folklore, which may have been inspired by the discovery of large ape fossils or by encounters with large animals. Gigantopithecus, which lived until about 100,000 years ago, was a real genus of giant apes, and it is possible that remnants or legends of such creatures could have influenced later myths.

— map / TST —

Michael Alan Prestwood
Author & Natural Philosopher
Prestwood writes on science-first philosophy, with particular attention to the convergence of disciplines. Drawing on his TST Framework, his work emphasizes rational inquiry grounded in empirical observation while engaging questions at the edges of established knowledge. With TouchstoneTruth positioned as a living touchstone, this work aims to contribute reliable, evolving analysis in an emerging AI era where the credibility of information is increasingly contested.
This Week @ TST
February 25, 2026
»Edition Archive
WWB Research….
1. Story of the Week
Alfred Korzybski
2. Quote of the Week
Live legal, moral, and fair.
3. Science FAQ »
What does neuroscience say about “identity?”
4. Philosophy FAQ »
Why do people confuse explanations with reality?
5. Critical Thinking FAQ »
What is worldview humility?
6. History FAQ!
What does history teach us about authoritarian rule?
Bonus Deep-Dive Article
Mindscape Framework
Scroll to Top