Scientists have unveiled a new fossil dubbed “Ida” which is purported to be the “missing link” in primate evolution.
Darwinius Masillae aka Ida has human-like characteristics, including grasping hands with opposable thumbs, fingernails instead of claws, and relatively short limbs which scientists say is evidence of evolutionary changes that would eventually lead to primates standing upright.
“This is the first link to all humans,” says paleontologist Jorn Hurum, who led the team that analyzed the 47-million-year-old fossil. Ida represents “the closest thing we can get to a direct ancestor.”
Although researchers acknowledge that there is no clear evidence of the primate group which includes monkeys, apes, and humans splitting from other groups of primates that include lemurs, they believe Ida is an important branching point.
The near-perfect remains were found in Germany’s Messel Pit in 1983, by inexperienced archeologists who didn’t realize the value of their find.
The fossil was bought years later by the University of Oslo, where Hurum studied it in secret for two years.
Ida’s unveiling was part of a carefully-orchestrated publicity campaign unusual for scientific discoveries.
A History Channel film on the discovery will air next week.
A book release and other documentaries will follow.
View video of Missing Link Ida below.