Looking for title/author, late '60s machine intelligence story

[cthugha]

I am trying to determine the title and author of a story I read in 1968.

It was a short story, and I believe it was in an anthology edited by Fredrick Pohl (although it may have been Poul Anderson)

As nearly as I can recall, the plot involved some space travellers returning to earth after a voyage gone awry, and finding that millions of years had elapsed.
At some point in the past, human society had disappeared, and machines began to evolve. Think Aldiss's 'Hothouse', but with machines rather than plants.

If anyone can help me, or point me at a way to research this, I would very much appreciate it

 

[cthugha]

I also remember that the native machine intelligence society was at a stone-age (so to speak) level, and that the explorers entered a cave where two of the natives lived. One was 'pregnant', and the other (the mate, I think) reacted in a hostile manner.
I believe the explorers determined that the machines were intelligent, and tried to make contact.

 

[cthugha]

Found it!
The story was "Epilogue" by Poul Anderson.

 

[Parson]

Sorry no one was able to help. This is usually an awfully good place to ask questions like that. We have some real bibliophiles here. (Yours truly not included in that category.)

 

[cthugha]

No loss. Posting the description helped me design a proper google query for the story.
I found it, so the forum did indeed help.

 

[ashewyntr]

Well? What was it? Come on, you have to share!

 

[cthugha]

The story was "Epilogue" by Poul Anderson.