IDA on display in New York

The Museum of Natural History in New York is showing off the 47 million year-old skeleton of a fosil creature that scientists have affectionately called “Ida”. She is so well preseved that it is even possible to say that her last meal was fruits, seeds and leaves. Although not a direct ancester of human beings, Ida had several so-called human characteristics such as forward-facing eyes, short limbs and an opposable thumb.

Ida was discovered in 1983 in Germany by private collectors who didn’t see her significance and even at one point split her bones into two lots.

She had been preserved in a volcanic crater called the Messel Pit, 35 kms outside Frankfurt, where scientists are now searching for further remains.

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tags: Archaeology, Museum