47 million year old fossil linked to human ancestors
Bearing a long tail "Ida" had several human characteristics
NEW YORK (Agencies)
Scientists on Tuesday unveiled the well preserved fossilized remains found in Germany of a primate from 47 million years ago that may have been a close relative of the common ancestor of monkeys, apes and people.The primate, which was two feet (58 cm) from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail, was a female that died before its first birthday,said Norwegian paleontologist Jorn Hurum, who led a team of scientists, who analyzed the fossil in the past two years, said.
It was called Darwinius masillae in honor of Charles Darwin, who advanced the theory of evolution, but nicknamed Ida.
The finding, described Tuesday in a scientific journal, was displayed at a press conference at New York's Natural History Museum, and is due to be the subject of a documentary on the History Channel, BBC and other broadcasters.
Organizers said that scientists led first discovered Ida in 1983 by private collectors who failed to understand her importance -- and split the bones into two lots.
The monkey-like creature was preserved through the ages in Germany's Messel Pit, a crater rich in Eocene Epoch fossils.
Although bearing a long tail, she had several human characteristics, including an opposable thumb, short arms and legs, and forward facing eyes.
She also lacked two key elements of modern lemurs: a grooming claw and a row of lower teeth known as the toothcomb."This is the first link to all humans -- truly a fossil that links world heritage," Hurum said in a statement.
David Attenborough, the renowned British naturalist and broadcaster, said the "little creature is going to show us our connection with all the rest of the mammals."
"The link they would have said until now is missing... it is no longer missing," he said.
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