Ida fossil cast on display
In the Central Hall's Tree gallery
Ida's fossil skeleton measures 53cm in length. © Atlantic Productions Ltd
The life-size fossil cast of Ida, as she is now known, is on display in the Tree gallery in the Central Hall's mezzanine from 27 May 2009.
Look down into the display case and witness the detail and extraordinary completeness of the fossil as it is in real life. Ida's cast was donated to the Museum by the University of Oslo Natural History Museum.
Scientists have called Ida Darwinius masillae, after her place of origin and to celebrate Charles Darwin's bicentenary year.
Watch a video about Ida's significance
Scientific importance
The 47-million-year-old fossil caused a sensation when Oslo University researchers suggested Darwinius masillae could be our earliest ancestor.
The fossil was unearthed from the Messel Pit near Darmstadt in Germany in 1983. It belongs to an extinct 9 or 10-month-old female primitive primate. This ancient lemur-like creature is now revealing clues about the early evolution of primates.
Early mammals
In our Red Zone's From the Beginning gallery, learn how the earliest mammals diversified and see a 49-million-year-old bat fossil also found in Germany's Messel Pit.
From the Beginning gallery
