What is extant?

Extant refers to something that still exists, is still in use, or is still relevant. It can be used to describe living organisms that are still surviving in the present day, such as extant species of animals or plants. Alternatively, it can be used to describe objects or artifacts that have survived from a previous time period and are still in existence.

In biology, the term extant is commonly used to describe the opposite of extinct, meaning that a particular species is still alive and thriving. For example, the extant species of elephants are the African elephant and the Asian elephant, as opposed to their extinct relatives such as the woolly mammoth.

In archaeology, the term extant is used to describe artifacts or buildings that have survived from a previous time period. For example, the Temple of Karnak in Egypt is an extant temple that was originally built over 4,000 years ago.

Overall, extant can be used to describe anything that is still in existence, whether it be a living organism, a physical object, or a cultural artifact. It is an important term in a variety of fields and helps us to understand the continuity and evolution of life and culture over time.