Philippe-Charles Schmerling | |
|---|---|
Philip Carel Schmerling | |
 Philippe-Charles Schmerling | |
| Born | 2 March 1791 |
| Died | 7 November 1836 (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) |
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.
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]
- ^ "Homo neanderthalensis". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 18 May 2009.