Subscribe now

Letter: Why haven't chimps made a greater leap forward?

Published 23 December 2024

From Eric Kvaalen, Les Essarts-le-Roi, France

If chimpanzee communities are becoming more technologically advanced over time, why is it that after millions of years of existence all they can manage is to use sticks to fish for termites? Their tools may be biodegradable, but they don’t make baskets, ropes or other things our ancestors probably did (30 November, p 13).

Issue no. 3523 published 28 December 2024

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop