46.

Biography

In 1856, fossil parts of a human skeleton were found in the Neanderthal valley near Düsseldorf in Germany, and correctly identified as prehistoric. The keepers of this precious find, however, refused to let the bones be inspected by a famous pathologist.

He only saw the bones in 1872, having achieved access by devious means. The scientist interpreted the anatomical characteristics of the Neanderthal bones as the results of disease. The scientific debate dragged on and on, dominated by his authority. Until his death he denied that the Neanderthal bones were from a prehistoric human being.

Who was the man who was wrong about the fossils?

Author: Stephan Heymann

>> Click here for solution

Rudolf Virchow