Archaeologists to live stream recovery of fossilized skeleton

Archaeologists recovered a massive chunk of rock in 2009 containing the fossilized remains of what the scientists describe as a "human ancestor." According to the archaeologists, the fossilized remains are the most complete ever discovered of a species called Australopithecus sediba. The skeleton was discovered in a cave in South Africa.

The rock containing the skeleton was removed in 2009 and transferred to the laboratory of paleontologist Professor Lee Berger. When the extraction process of removing the skeletal remains from the rock begins, the scientists will broadcast the removal of the 2 million-year-old remains over the Internet live. This will be the first time people will be able to participate in the discovery process from their home.

So far, the scientists have performed a CT scan of the rock, and the scan showed critical body parts were fossilized in the rock such as a jaw, a complete thighbone, and ribs among other bones. Interestingly, a DNA test conducted on the fossilized remains matched previously recovered remains dubbed Karabo. The indication is that the bones remaining in the rock could belong to the previously discovered skeleton making it even more complete. The stream will have multiple camera angles and will even show microscopic images. The live stream is expected to start sometime in November.

[via CSMonitor]