Scientists have discovered three fossils of 6.4 million years old monkeys. The fossils were found at the Shuitangba lignite mine in northeastern Yunnan Province of China. This discovery of fossils is significant because they are some of the very oldest fossils of monkeys outside of Africa.
According to the researchers, this monkey species existed in Asia at the same place and same time as ancient apes in Asia. They are possibly the ancestor of many of the living monkeys of East Asia. The researchers also believe that these monkeys did not have to live near bodies of water, and could survive ages of dramatic climatic change.