We Are Not Alone: William King and the Naming of the Neanderthals

The story of human history was changed forever in 1863 with William King's proposal that we had not always been the sole members Homo genus. Yet, more than 150 years after neanderthalensis first named and then summarized pages Anthropological Review, man responsible for this revolutionary announcement is poorly known field palaeoanthropology today. Following sesquicentennial anniversary seminal event 2013, a timely reappraisal given reputation, legacy, work within intellectual vortex his time. [Neanderthals, evolution, paleoanthropology, King] La narrativa de la historia humana fue cambiada por siempre en con propuesta King que no hemos sido los únicos miembros del género Homo. Sin embargo, más años después nombrado el primera vez y luego resumido las páginas hombre responsable este anuncio revolucionario es poco conocido campo paleoantropología hoy. Siguiendo sesquicentenario evento una revaloración tiempo dada reputación, legado trabajo Rey dentro vórtice intelectual su tiempo. [neandertales, evolución humana, paleoantropología, thirty-third meeting British Association Advancement Science held Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Local-born (Figure 1) traveled from Galway, Ireland, where he professor geology mineralogy, to give presentation on what believed be new ancient species hominin called neanderthalensis. His announcement, reported Review (among other outlets) 1863, would change our understanding evolution forever. In 1856, skeleton accidentally discovered among cave sediments extracted Kleine Feldhofer Cave, Neander Valley, Germany 2). cave, situated 20 m up steep cliff, uncovered during limestone quarrying valley, deep narrow gorge carries Düssel River meets Rhine 13 km east Düsseldorf. small, “high enough admit man,” some 2 wide, 5 deep, filled 1.5 “mud” (Busk 1861, 155). Because were considered contaminant by quarrymen, chamber emptied its deposits two laborers who noticed bones but did recognize them as human. They subsequently dumped contents quarry floor, where, weeks later, removed brought attention local schoolteacher, Johann Carl Fuhlrott (1803–1877) (Fuhlrott presented these findings 1857, cited Busk 1861; see also Hrdlička 1913; Murray et al. 2015). By then, only larger elements remained—the skull cap limb bones—of all probability complete burial (Lyell 60). recognized set motion series events culminate naming yet species: neanderthalsensis. scientist took pioneering endeavor D.Sc. (1809–1886). mineralogy at Queen's College later made natural history. He could scarcely have guessed conclusions spark debate last (Tattersall 2007, 141). Although name gave Neanderthals eventually accepted, own seldom remembered. Yet moment represents accepted recognition another own: realization alone genus, key turning point discussions race, species, humans. recent 150th has generated raft papers considering life contribution paleoanthropology (DeArce 2020; DeArce Wyse Jackson 2014; Here explore pronouncement context scientific social milieu day standing it. form deformed modern specimen; it belonged race antecedent time Celts Germans, probably represented one “wild races” northwestern Europe; contemporaneous ice age mammals, although admitted there direct evidence support such an association. Jointly, Schaaffhausen reached conclusion previously unrecognized human, before either Darwin's Origin Species published or depth antiquity fully settled. This not, however, entirely unprecedented claim. question variation fascinated scientists decades (Trigger 1989). Several theories aimed explaining possibility transmutation variant already circulating communities Europe, adequate mechanism formulated Origins (that said, many friends knew least basics theory prior publication). 1817, Julien-Joseph Virey (1775–1846) divided extant humans into based anatomy culture Ten Jean Baptiste Bory Saint-Vincent (1778–1846), proponent Lamarkian identified fifteen living originating different homelands (de 1827). ideas still circulation. At Section E (Geography Ethnography) Newcastle BAAS (where paper C [Geology]), president Society, James Hunt (1833–1869), suggested Europeans sub-Saharan Africans, consternation ethnographers non-Europeans room (Anon 1863a). To end, term use educated community poor correspondence cases biological meaning species. For example, Smellie's translations Comte Buffon's Natural History (1785), Buffon provided definition common contemporary usage, which open-ended concept used designate both categorical difference well difference. Referring work, French traveler Montulé (1821, 44) opined may originate Africa, despite being forces, they are part greater “human species.” These works highlight persistence pre-Linnaean discovery. Thus, practice speak while same categories Nevertheless, principles language universally particularly geologists. latter included Charles Lyell (1797–1875), maintained receptive notion subspecies 1863; Trigger Even though immediate reaction Fuhlrott's Schaaffhausen's muted, audience insisting even their discovery attracted attention. 1860, guided eminent geologist almost quarried away. (1863) able generate basic geological section satisfy himself old those Engis Belgium, Schmerling fossils 1829 (although Neanderthal until 1936). words, Cave remains Pleistocene age. If true, exemplify less advanced stage development improvement; if recent, might case atavism (the devolution ancestral type). Either way, saw representing primitive state humanity. George (1807–1886), anatomist Royal Surgeons, translated English commentary thoughts 1861), bringing specimen global (Huxley 1864). idea coexisting extinct animals past now matter fact noted worked out artifacts fossils. What, pondered, “priscan race” look like? Accepting “enormous antiquity” (1861, 172), uncertain whether individual peculiarity (i.e., human) typical character characterized separate humans). examination cast “very savage type” approaching chimpanzee gorilla. year, possession Mr. Gregory 25 Golden Square, London, examined exhibited Society London paleontologist anthropologist Carter Blake (1840–1897). twenty-one-year-old parvenu, markedly assured declaring apart brow ridges, bore very little resemblance apes should sapiens: “man-Man, ape-Man” (Carter 1864, clii). Other soon entered arena. During 1862–1863, Busk, along friend Hugh Falconer (1808–1865), Gibraltar I Forbes’ Quarry 1848. letter dated August friend: “My dear hint about names rubbing Priscan Pithecoid skull, var. calpicus, Calpe, Rock Gibraltar. What say you?” presentations 1864 Bath, similarities between specimens 1865), neither apparently went forward (it important note Falconer's appears printed; report consists title). Whether knowledge priority stayed hand proposing unknown. Nonetheless, stillborn, jest, calpicus clearly shows highly scientists—both fellows connected Evans-Prestwich-Lubbock network, member influential X Club (Barton 1998)—genuinely entertained quite like ourselves just waiting found (Madison 2020). Thomas Huxley's Lyell's confirmed peculiarities: “In truth, cranium most extraordinary characters,” wrote Man's Place Nature 182). concluded “the pithecoid crania discovered” large brain, “as twice size ape's,” indicated “pithecoid tendencies … extend organisation”; post-crania argued similar stature proportions medium build. Huxley, brain characteristic, therefore cause regarding Valley missing link apes, interpreting instead extreme end races. ancestor, contended, much older specimen, “great, uncertain, (120). arena stepped 1863. become circles, spreading through far-reaching books essays scholars word mouth private parlors, gentlemen's clubs, learned societies Britain. But King, how fall him Neanderthals? main detailing career science largely biographical Harper 1988a, 2001; Herries Davies 1988). appointment chair Galway 1849 college, tenure marked considerable developments college's collection (Fewtrell Ryan 1979; 1992; Parkes 1996) broader Ireland (Herries While justifiably remembered affiliations mind, never actually became fellow Geological Dublin London. was, Sociètè Gèologique France 1988, 26), helped boost familiarity characters, Marcellin Boule. It location periphery London-centric elite—both socially geographically—that various debates remarkable (Harper 2014). primarily associated Irish. origins source confusion (e.g., Klein 2009, 439; Wolpoff Caspari 1997, 271), erroneously described Arthur Keith (1915, 130) anatomy, inaccuracy studies (Murray family roots western Scotland 2), born northeast England grew Sunderland 1988a). father coal caster probable Scottish origin mother unknown nationality (Brockie 1901; 2001). regarded something irrelevance today doubtlessly career, spent working mother, she reputed genteel lady, likely her insistence afforded good schooling, developed extracurricular interest sciences 3). 1833, proprietor bookshop intellectuals surrounding region rise reputation appropriate circles enabled begin publishing research. marriage Jane Nicholson appointed 1840 curator Museum Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, renamed Hancock Great North Museum: Before this, embarked upon research trips Germany, funding Literary Philosophical (of member) Pettigrew 1979). Antiquarian 1836, provide material Corporation when opened 1846 (Pettigrew 1979, 328). Unfortunately, perhaps inevitably, assuming post best incident referred (1988a, 4) “King Affair.” Put succinctly, notable finances, personal funds amenities dealer collections. uncommon men circumstances, concern peers museum's collections suffering hands proxy dealing rightfully museum 2001, 245). situation so sour asked resign 1847, resorted changing locks (Turner Subsequent inquests reflected activities fairly forgivingly 1988a; Turner 1979), scandal remained significant shadow over memory does seem left position Newcastle, relocated Permian addition 326). housed—without dispute, added—in Mitchell Geology 1996), specimen. With seventy publications death 1886 1988a), unquestionable paleontology challenging supposed authenticity Eozoön pseudofossils (King Rowney 1866), phenomenon falsely represent earliest organisms planet, monograph 1850) keystone publication nineteenth-century lasting significance Pattison 1977). system established decade before, 1841. Arguably enduring lay fields prehistoric archaeology exist any widely formal manner. Given interesting modest celebration received community, archaeological paleoanthropological nor regarded, assessment without exception Schwartz 2006). Further, efforts rectify light sesquicentenary profound portrayed favorably. apparent brashness assertions cranium, lacking experience primate craniology, coupled ignominy circumstances departure lend somewhat cavalier approach (see, impression role Tattersall [1995, 21] Trinkaus Shipman [1993, 88–89]). statements audacious, closer belies characterization maverick, demonstrated recently (2014) major academic throughout career. introduction inaugural issue Quarterly Journal “stepping palaeontologists” “new careful thinker” (Samuelson Crookes 16). Certainly, authority craniology others Madison 2020), take investigate insignificant skulls disposal Gapert 2017). worth qualifying fascination brief, stranger taxonomic classification. detail advocacy comparing reference type 12; Jackson, Ernst, Lisitsyn Throughout earlier stages, extensively generic classification variety focus brachiopods, lifelong having met exceptional standard Indeed, review that, time, designation bryozoan genus Thamniscus (a aquatic moss) conforms genus's description (Wyse Like contemporaries, polymath often participate beyond specialist area, usually relative proficiency 251). Formal acknowledgment achievements came conferral ever awarded College, 1872 informal can inferred collaborations Davidson, notoriously choosy whom 12). insights views Darwinian commentaries On Edinburgh 1862) Geologist 1863). phenotypic fossil populations, adopted following wholly subscribe theory, though. readily selection felt unable accept single driving force process long-term large-scale potential underwrite creation orders organizations 1862, 255); certainly Dawkins 1871). higher power created plant animal (which termed “Autotheogeny”), dictated laws framed ability modify adapt external changes “Genetheonomy”) 255). essentially, predetermined popular (Ellegård 1990, 136). However, teaching, David (2001) Darwinism unpalatable traditional conservatively minded students College. Taking toward (1864b, 93) compared species) domesticated dogs, remarking “artificial” result domestication) explained merely selection, whereas mankind, “natural.” reflects accounting modifiability “genetheonomy”). intention, doing so, illustrate degree variability capable thanks process, emphasizing “varieties mankind natural,” and, presumably, therefore, autotheogenous (93). specific-level makes sense interpretation Darwinism, still, belief “on psychological grounds alone, must isolated organisms,” essentially capacity cognition “autotheogenous” seems fleeting, primates remains. Sometime acquired mineral One wonders put mind reading Evidences Antiquity Man (1863), February year specifically mentions cast. respects outsider burgeoning day, few adversaries nevertheless hold friendship favour number figures prepare task, familiarized belonging races access placement After examining (Geology) Science, Newcastle-upon-Tyne followed accepting date fossil, anatomical study large, infant shape. cranially cognitively different: feelings once dwelt soared above brute,” 1864a, 82). communication 1864a). expositions nomenclatural biologists did, providing distinct name, neanderthalensis, usher treatment status persists day. proposed has, essence, retained favor assignment alternative sapiens argument rejected first, raising prospect homo seen forebearer Moreover, into, Huxley others, prototype discussion future discoveries genuses. arguments premise apomorphism (for deviation cranial morphology), chronological age, cognitive ability, continue play constitute designations. were, because politicking behind scenes organization meeting, muted reception, venues (see Recent Miguel (2020) subject scheduling error running led contrary advertised. participated (Geology), Ethnology), concerned biology hardly surprising political machinations internecine fighting anthropologists ethnographers. Tim discussed rift groups physical anthropology E; simply, people thought belong. four paper, hosted fossils, seven stone tools, forty-three general bone caves zero topics. talk, E, talk C, D (Zoology). stolen thunder delivered simultaneously Alfred Russell Wallace, returned Malaysia Wallace spoken previous year. lack attendance, immediately objected, explains subdued proposition initially met. misfortunate victim politics, grand scale Once words committed print, response. writing extended publications: abstract 1864a) in-depth January edition 1864b; Figure A third article, anonymous outlining anthropological highlights 1863a, 393-394), contains thir