Controversial: Journey of Ancient Human Fossil to Space Sparks Unanswered Questions and Backlash

Introduction:

On a recent Virgin Galactic flight to the edge of space, two ancient-human relatives were brought along as passengers. While the flight landed safely, archaeologists and researchers have criticized the mission, calling it an unethical publicity stunt that put priceless hominin fossils at risk. The debate raises questions about the protection of cultural heritage and the ethics of space travel.

Full Article: Controversial: Journey of Ancient Human Fossil to Space Sparks Unanswered Questions and Backlash

The Controversial Journey of Ancient Hominin Fossils to Space

On a bright Friday morning last week, a Virgin Galactic spacecraft embarked on a remarkable journey, traveling 88 kilometers above Earth to the edge of space. On board were two Virgin Galactic pilots, an instructor, three passengers, and an extraordinary cargo—the remains of two ancient-human relatives that lived hundreds of thousands of years ago in southern Africa.

An Unethical Publicity Stunt?

The safe landing of everyone aboard the VSS Unity, including the hominin remains, was met with both awe and fervent criticism from archaeologists, palaeoanthropologists, and other researchers. They argue that the mission was an unethical publicity stunt that recklessly endangered priceless hominin fossils, raising serious concerns about the protection of cultural heritage in South Africa, as the government agency responsible approved the endeavor.

Robyn Pickering, a geologist at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, expressed her dismay, stating, “To treat ancestral remains in such a callous, unethical way—to blast them into space just because you can—there’s no scientific merit in this.”

The Precious Bones

While various missions have taken other fossil specimens, including dinosaur bones, into space since the 1980s, these ancient-hominin remains mark the first of their kind. They belong to Australopithecus sediba, which lived approximately 2 million years ago, and Homo naledi, which is about 250,000 years old. These species were discovered near Johannesburg in South Africa by teams led by the renowned palaeoanthropologist, Lee Berger, who currently works at the National Geographic Society in Washington DC.

In July, the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) in Cape Town granted Berger an export permit to transport a shoulder bone from A. sediba and a finger bone from H. naledi to New Mexico, where Virgin Galactic’s spaceport is located. These fossils were included on the flight as part of the cargo carried by Tim Nash, a South African businessman and one of the passengers.

Berger’s application stated that scientific studies might be conducted on the fossils, but their main purpose for the journey was to raise global awareness about science, exploration, human origins, and South Africa’s significant role in understanding our shared African ancestry.

However, Robyn Pickering, who played a role in dating A. sediba, argues that these justifications do not outweigh the risks associated with space travel, including the potential loss or damage of these invaluable remains. The A. sediba shoulder bone is especially crucial as the first fossil of its kind discovered and serves as the reference specimen that defines the species.

Yonatan Sahle, an archaeologist at the University of Cape Town, drew analogies between this mission and colonial and neocolonial research practices, in which predominantly white European and American researchers exerted their influence over African institutions. He criticized the venture as “a perpetuation of past, very ugly aspects of palaeoanthropological research.”

Condemnation and Concerns

The European Society for the study of Human Evolution’s board issued a statement on September 13, expressing their doubts about the mission’s scientific merit and the potential damage it could cause to these unique materials. They strongly advocated for responsible stewardship and protection of these irreplaceable scientific resources.

In response to these criticisms, Ben Mwasinga, an official from SAHRA, stated in a media release that the agency believed the promotional benefits outweighed the inherent risks associated with this unique form of travel. The University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where the fossils reside, emphasized their decision to include these specimens on the mission due to their extensive documentation through 3D scans, casts, and photographs.

However, Rachel King, an archaeologist at University College London, specializing in cultural-heritage policies in southern Africa, expressed concern about the possible precedent set by considering well-documented fossils as acceptable risks. She posed a thought-provoking question, “If I document one of South Africa’s World Heritage Sites, could we then bulldoze it and put up a shopping mall?”

South Africa has long been at the forefront of protecting cultural heritage among African nations. As such, King was taken aback when SAHRA granted permission for the hominin fossils to be included on a private spacecraft, questioning the role of regulators in such a decision. She remarked, “It’s potentially a pretty big thing, and a pretty big shift.”

Nature reached out to Lee Berger of the University of the Witwatersrand for comment, but he did not respond.

Summary: Controversial: Journey of Ancient Human Fossil to Space Sparks Unanswered Questions and Backlash

Virgin Galactic’s recent mission, which carried two ancient-human relatives’ remains into space, has sparked controversy among researchers. Archaeologists and palaeoanthropologists argue that the stunt was unethical and risked damaging priceless hominin fossils. The fossils, belonging to Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi, were granted an export permit by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) but were criticized for lacking scientific merit. The mission raises questions about the protection of cultural heritage and the role of regulators in allowing such activities. Researchers question the justification of putting well-documented fossils at risk.