Why did Australopithecus bones go into space?

The remains made an unprecedented flight into space on September 8 Australopithecus sediba And Homo nalediwho were taken on board Virgin Galactic flight from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

The fossils were transported by South African billionaire Timothy Nash in a cigar-shaped pipe.

fossils were chosen Lee BergerResearcher-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society and Director of the Center for Human Deep Travel at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

Berger commented this is a statement What was the idea behind sending these fossils into space: “The journey of these fossils into space represents humanity’s recognition of the contributions of all of humanity’s ancestors and our ancient relatives”, these hominids “could never have dreamed while they were alive to embark on such an incredible journey in as ambassadors of all human ancestors.

Controversy over Australopithecus in space

IN a thread on X (formerly Twitter), Alessio Venezianobiological anthropologist and co-organizer AHEAD conference (Advances in Human Evolution, Adaptation and Diversity) briefly identified four main topics that were discussed:

1. Lack of scientific justification for the flight;
2. ethical issues related to respect for the remains of ancestors;
3. Berger’s access to fossils that few other researchers have;
4. and misrepresentation of the practice of paleoanthropology.

permission request Berger’s original, which was eventually approved by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), mentioned that the purpose of the trip was to promote science and ensure global recognition of human origins research in South Africa, rather than to resolve any scientific issues.

Sonja Zakrzewskibioarchaeologist from the University of Southampton in the UK, in a thread X was emphatic: “This is NOT science.”

“I’m horrified that they were given permission.”

Finally Justin WalshProfessor of Art and Archeology at Chapman University in California, told LiveScience that: “We have to ask ourselves: Can the University of the Witwatersrand and Lee Berger be trusted to look after these fossils in the future, if that’s what you think?” what to do with them?