Philippe-Charles Schmerling
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Philippe-Charles or Philip Carel Schmerling (2 March 1791 Delft – 7 November 1836, Liège) was a Dutch/Belgian prehistorian, pioneer in paleontology, and geologist. He is often considered the founder of paleontology.
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Philippe-Charles Schmerling | |
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Philip Carel Schmerling | |
Born | (1791-03-02)2 March 1791 |
Died | 7 November 1836(1836-11-07) (aged 45) |
Citizenship | Dutch/Belgian |
Known for | Paleontology |
Spouse | Elizabeth Douglas |
Scientific career | |
Fields | History, Paleontology, Geology |
Thesis | 'De studii psychologiae in medicina utilitate et necessitate' (1825) |
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In 1829 he discovered the first Neanderthal fossil in a cave in Engis, the partial cranium of a small child, although it was not recognized as such until 1936, and is now thought to be between 30,000-70,000 years old. It was the second discovery of a fossil of the genus Homo after the discovery of the Red Lady of Paviland in Wales in 1823.[1]