Crossword Genius

A writer about myself and distant ancestors (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apemen

'distant ancestors' is the definition.
(ape-like ancestors of humans)

'a writer about myself' is the wordplay.
'writer' becomes 'pen' (something which writes).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'myself' becomes 'me'.
'pen' going around 'me' is 'pemen'.
'a'+'pemen'='APEMEN'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for apemen that I've seen before include "Our predecessors" , "Extinct human ancestors" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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