A Virgin Galactic flight last week took ancient-human fossils into space, sparking outrage from archaeologists around the world.
The taking of these ancient human fossils into space was part of an elaborate publicity stunt to draw attention to “science, exploration, human origins, and South Africa,”
noted. Despite the possible exposure it could bring, archaeologists say that the move put the remains in danger and could have led to the loss of one of the key identifying references forfossil to be discovered, and thus a reference that helps define the species. Of course, this story would probably be a lot different if the flight hadn’t been successful, not only because of the loss of life, but because of the loss of history possible if the flight had not gone so smoothly. Luckily, that isn’t the case.
This also isn’t the first time we’ve seen ancient fossils taken into space. Previously, dinosaur fossils have been taken out of Earth’s atmosphere. Still, archaeologists have a right to be upset. If the flight had gone badly, the bones here could have been lost forever. A small but important piece of history would have been lost with them.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Virgin Galactic Flight Carries Precious Hominin Fossils to Space’s Edge, Sparking ControversyScientists are questioning a mission that sent fossils to the brink of space, igniting a debate on ethics, intentions, and anthropological integrity.
Read more »
| From Virgin Queen to virgin land: How Virginia got its nameYes, Elizabeth was the Virgin Queen. But that’s also how explorers viewed the land.
Read more »
Hubble telescope spots glowing galactic disk floating in deep space (photo)It lives in a constellation named for an 18th century astronomical tool.
Read more »
Archaeologists discover 2000-year-old graves containing burnt human remainsThe researchers also found a flint arrowhead that appears to be more than 2,000 years older than the cremation cemetery itself.
Read more »
Why Is the New Republic Treating Ahsoka and Hera Like Criminals?It's a new low for the new galactic government.
Read more »
Paleontologists Furious When Ancient Human Fossils Blasted to SpacePaleontologists were affronted to discover that billionaires had sent ancient hominin bones up on a Virgin Galactic spaceflight.
Read more »