Research Article| April 01, 2006 Ancient diets indicate significant uplift of southern Tibet after ca. 7 Ma Yang Wang; Yang Wang 1Department of Geological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4100, USA, and National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Tao Deng; Tao Deng 2Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Dana Biasatti Dana Biasatti 3Department of Geological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4100, USA, and National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2006) 34 (4): 309–312. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22254.1 Article history received: 15 Sep 2005 rev-recd: 14 Dec 2005 accepted: 19 Dec 2005 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Yang Wang, Tao Deng, Dana Biasatti; Ancient diets indicate significant uplift of southern Tibet after ca. 7 Ma. Geology 2006;; 34 (4): 309–312. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22254.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The uplift of the Tibetan Plateau plays a critical role in controlling global climate, yet the history of the Tibetan uplift is still a contentious issue. In particular, the elevation of the plateau during the Neogene—a crucial period in the development of the Asian monsoons and C4 ecosystems—remains uncertain. Here we present carbon isotopic evidence, preserved in tooth enamel from 7-m.y.-old horses and rhinos from the high Himalayas, which indicates that, unlike modern herbivores in the area, these ancient mammals ate substantial amounts of C4 grasses. The presence of significant amounts of C4 grasses in the diets of these ancient mammals indicates that the climate in the area was much warmer and the elevation was much lower in the late Miocene than today. The carbon isotope data from the high Himalayas, after accounting for late Cenozoic global cooling and paleoatmospheric CO2 levels, indicate that this part of southern Tibet was less than 2900–3400 m above sea level in the latest Miocene. This implies that the present elevation of the area must have been attained after 7 Ma, much later than generally believed. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.