Ancient Discoveries in the Allgäu

Recent excavations in the Allgäu region have revealed fascinating prehistoric findings, including the skeletal remains of Danuvius guggenmosi, an ancient hominid, and Kretzoiarctos beatrix, a primitive relative of modern pandas. Unlike today's giant panda, which relies solely on bamboo, Kretzoiarctos beatrix had a diverse diet of both plants and animals, resembling the dietary habits of modern brown bears.

Managed by the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment, these findings challenge existing ideas on bipedalism and highlight the ecological richness of the area, as evidenced by the discovery of 27 additional carnivore species. This research underscores the evolutionary complexities of both hominids and carnivorous mammals.