Twilight News Edition 540
Edition 540, 15th September 2023
ARCHAEOLOGISTS RAGE ABOUT ANCIENT HUMAN RELATIVE BONES BEING SENT TO OUTER SPACE
By Kabir Choudhuri-Khan
(The image shows the fossilised bones preserved in a container)
The Virgin Galactic mission sent the bones of Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi (two of our ancient human relatives) to the edge of space –– to thank them.
“The journey of these fossils into space represents humankind's appreciation of the contribution of all of humanity's ancestors and our ancient relatives,” said Lee Berger, a National Geographic Society explorer who selected these priceless relics. His son, Matthew Berger added that these hominins “never could have dreamed while alive of taking such an incredible journey as ambassadors of all of humankind's ancestors."
This journey has led to an outcry from many scientists and archaeologists worldwide. One main argument is that scientifically speaking, this trip bears no fruit, while another is that a slight malfunction could destroy these valuable bones.
"I am horrified that they were granted a permit," said Sonia Zakrzewski, who is a bioarchaeologist teaching at the University of Southampton in the U.K. She mentioned that she would be using this as an example of unethical scientific approaches in her class.