Peter Wilhelm Lund | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 14 June 1801 |
| Died | 25 May 1880 (aged 78) |
| Citizenship | Danish,Brazilian |
| Alma mater | University of Copenhagen |
| Known for | Father of Brazilian paleontology Father of Brazilian archeology Father of Brazilian speleology |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Paleontology and Archeology |
Peter Wilhelm Lund (14 June 1801 – 25 May 1880) was a Danish Brazilian paleontologist, zoologist, and archeologist. He spent most of his life working and living in Brazil. He is considered the father of Brazilian paleontology as well as archaeology.
Lund was the first to describe dozens of species of Pleistocene megafauna, including the saber-toothed cat Smilodon populator. He also made the then ground-breaking discovery that humans co-existed with long-extinct animal species, something which possibly prompted him to terminate his scientific work. His comprehensive collections are today found at the Danish Natural History Museum in Copenhagen.