Uncovering Our Earliest Ancestor: The Link

The documentary explores the journey of the fossil Darwinius masillae, nicknamed Ida. Found in a shale quarry in Germany, this remarkably preserved fossil dates back approximately 47 million years. Originally discovered in 1983, Ida remained with a private collector until it was recognized for its potential as a missing link in the evolutionary chain.

Dr. Jørn Hurum, a Norwegian paleontologist, played a crucial role in bringing Ida to the forefront of scientific research. He successfully lobbied for its purchase by the Natural History Museum in Oslo and gathered an international team of experts to study the fossil. The findings were revealed during a press conference and published online on May 19, 2009. This documentary offers a detailed look at the significance of this discovery in the context of human evolution and our understanding of primate ancestry.