HISTORY Channel(TM), The University of Oslo and the Senckenberg Research Institute...

HISTORY Channel(TM), The University of Oslo and the Senckenberg Research
Institute Reveal Landmark Scientific Find

47 Million Year Old Primate Fossil Set to Revolutionize Understanding of Human
Evolution

-- HISTORY SPECIAL DOCUMENTING DISCOVERY TO AIR MAY 25 AT 9PM ET/PT --

NEW YORK, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- HISTORY, together with the University of Oslo
and the Senckenberg Research Institute, today reveal a landmark scientific
find: the 47 million year old fossilized remains of a primate. The most
complete fossil primate ever found, the young female specimen -- known as
"Ida" -- is set to revolutionize our understanding of human evolution. Twenty
times older than most fossils that explain human evolution, "Ida" is a
transitional species showing characteristics from the very primitive non-human
evolutionary line (prosimians, such as lemurs), but she is more related to the
human evolutionary line (anthropoids, such as monkeys, apes and humans). This
places Ida at the very root of anthropoid evolution -- when primates were
first developing the features that would evolve into our own. The scientists'
findings are published today by PLoS One, the open source journal of the
Public Library of Science.

The find is lauded as the most important scientific discovery of recent times.
HISTORY will premiere the major television special -- "The Link" --
chronicling the discovery and study of the fossil. The two-hour program,
produced by London-based Atlantic Productions, will air on HISTORY on Monday,
May 25 at 9pm ET/PT. "THE LINK" is presented with limited commercials made
possible by Ally Bank.

For the past two years, a team of esteemed scientists, led by world-renowned
Norwegian paleontologist Dr. Jorn Hurum of the University of Oslo Natural
History Museum, has secretly conducted a detailed forensic analysis of the
extraordinary 95% complete fossil, studying the data to decode humankind's
ancient origins.

"This specimen is like finding the lost ark for archaeologists," said Hurum.
"This fossil will probably be the one that will be pictured in all textbooks
for the next 100 years."

"This is a history-making story and HISTORY channel is honored to be working
with the brilliant team of scientists who have uncovered one of the most
important paleontological finds of both this generation and perhaps many to
come," said Nancy Dubuc, Executive Vice President and General Manager,
HISTORY. "HISTORY has a rich tradition of collaborating within the scientific
community to give work of this magnitude greater meaning and a national
platform. We are extremely proud to bring Ida's story, and ultimately our own,
to the American public. This is a perfect example of how we at HISTORY strive,
every day, to deliver authentic programming that connects history in very
real, relatable and innovative ways with our viewers."

About the discovery

Dr. Jorn Hurum first heard about the fossil at an annual fossil fair in
Hamburg, Germany. Following a private meeting with a fossil dealer, he was
invited to view a fossil the scientific world has been waiting for since the
dawn of modern paleontology. After confirming its authenticity, Hurum raised
funds to purchase the fossil for the University of Oslo Natural History Museum
and returned to his lab in Oslo, Norway where he selected a "dream team" of
world experts to help decode the fossil. Among the experts involved are:

1. Dr. Holly Smith, top U.S. dental anthropologist, University of
Michigan:
"In terms of a complete skeleton, it's hard to think of
anything else in primate evolution that's as complete as this
fossil. It's certainly the most beautiful fossil primate I've
ever seen."
2. Dr. Jens Franzen, German fossil and Messel Pit expert, Senckenberg
Research Institute: "This is by far the most complete fossil primate
ever found in the world. When the results of our investigations are
published this will be just like an asteroid hitting the earth."
3. Prof. Philip Gingerich, leading U.S. primate specialist, University of
Michigan: "It's really a kind of Rosetta Stone because it ties
together parts we haven't been able to associate before."

4. Dr Jorg Habersetzer, German fossil expert and radiologist, Senckenberg
Research Institute: "This fossil rewrites our understanding of the
evolution of primates."

Unlike Lucy and other famous primate fossils found in Africa's Cradle of
Mankind, "Ida" is a European fossil, preserved in Germany's Messel Pit; the
mile-wide crater and oil-rich shale is a significant site for fossils of the
Eocene period. Fossil analysis reveals that the prehistoric primate was a
young female. Opposable big toes and nails instead of claws confirm the fossil
is a primate. It is the evidence in Ida's ankle that links her to us; her
talus bone is the same shape as ours only smaller. In addition to the 95%
complete skeleton, measuring approximately three feet in length, the fossil
also features the complete soft body outline as well as the gut contents; an
herbivore, "Ida" fed on fruits, seeds and leaves before she died. X-rays
reveal both baby and adult teeth, but also the lack of a "toothcomb" or a
"toilet claw" -- attributes of lemurs. The scientists estimate Ida's age to be
approximately nine months.

The fossil was revealed publicly for the first time today at a news conference
held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. New York
CityMayor Michael R. Bloomberg; Abbe Raven, President and CEO, AETN; Nancy
Dubuc, EVP and General Manager, History Channel; Dr. Jorn Hurum, University of
Oslo Natural History Museum; Dr. Jens Franzen, Senckenberg Research Institute;
Dr. Holly Smith, University of Michigan; Ellen Futter, President, American
Museum of Natural History; and Anthony Geffen, CEO and Executive Producer,
Atlantic Productions were in attendance. Additionally, full research findings
were published today by PLoS ONE, the interactive, open-access journal for the
communication of all peer-reviewed scientific and medical research from the
Public Library of Science. http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0005723

A cast of the specimen will be on display in the "ExtremeMammals" exhibition
at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC.

For more information, please visit www.history.com/thelink, or the dedicated
website www.revealingthelink.com.

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SOURCE HISTORY

Lynn Gardner of HISTORY, +1-212-850-9322, lynn.gardner@aetn.com, or Vicky Kahn
of HISTORY, +1-212-210-9743, vicky.kahn@aetn.com; or Courtney McCraw of HL
Group for HISTORY, +1-212-529-5533, Ext. 258, courtney.mccraw@hlgrp.com, or
Eban Howell of HL Group for HISTORY, +1-212-529-5533 Ext. 222,
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