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1894 Haeckel Pithecanthropus ape man crop
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1894 Haeckel Pithecanthropus ape man crop
Pithecanthropus europeaus alalus (european speechless ape-man) by Gabriel Max, 1894, reproduced as Photogravure Plate 29 in Ernst Haeckel " Naturliche Schopfungs-Geschichte" (Natural History of Creation), Druck und Verlag, Berlin 1898. This painting was presented to Haeckel on his 60th birthday to celebrate his naming (without any fossil evidence!) a theoretical missing link between man and ape " Pithecanthropus alalus". The painting was purely hypothetical as no hominids were yet discovered. Some report it was originally commissioned by Haeckels enemy Virchow to make fun of him - but if so, it mis-fired as the picture reified the concept. At around the same time, one of Haeckels students, Eugene Dubois, found the first fossil Homo erectus specimens and gave the new species the name Pithecanthropus erectus honouring Haeckels speculative ape man
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Media ID 6347099
© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Ancestor Anthropology Ernst Fossil Haeckel Hominid Homo Missing Link Neanderthal Origins Reconstruction Restoration Du Bois Virchow
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This print showcases Gabriel Max's 1894 painting titled "Pithecanthropus ape man crop". Reproduced as a Photogravure Plate 29 in Ernst Haeckel's renowned book "Naturliche Schopfungs-Geschichte" (Natural History of Creation), this artwork was presented to Haeckel on his 60th birthday. The painting symbolizes Haeckel's controversial naming of the theoretical missing link between humans and apes, known as "Pithecanthropus alalus" despite the absence of any fossil evidence. Interestingly, there are conflicting reports about the origins and intentions behind this painting. Some claim that it was commissioned by Haeckel's adversary, Virchow, with the aim of ridiculing him. However, if that was indeed the case, it backfired spectacularly as Max's work only reinforced the concept rather than mocking it. Coincidentally, during this period when Max created his masterpiece, one of Haeckel's students named Eugene Dubois made a groundbreaking discovery. He unearthed the first fossil specimens belonging to Homo erectus and decided to name this new species Pithecanthropus erectus in honor of Haeckel’s speculative ape-man theory. This restoration illustration from the 19th century not only represents an artistic interpretation but also holds significant anthropological value. It delves into our ancestral origins and sheds light on important figures such as Ernst Haeckel, Eugene Dubois, and even Neanderthal research. As we gaze upon this thought-provoking image captured by Paul D. Stewart for Science Photo Library, we are reminded of humanity's continuous quest for understanding our evolutionary past – a journey filled with speculation and discovery alike.
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