Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: The Lost (?) Continent of Lemuria
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Aug 20, 2025 Discover the intriguing story behind the mythical lost continent of Lemuria. Explore the failed scientific theories that aimed to explain why lemurs aren't found in Africa. Dive into historical figures like Ernst Haeckel and Helena Blavatsky, and how their ideas transformed from scientific inquiries to New Age philosophies. Unravel the myths, misconceptions, and cultural implications surrounding Lemuria, revealing why it continues to fascinate people's imaginations today.
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When Science Used Lost Continents
- 19th-century scientists invented land bridges like Lemuria to explain strange species distributions before continental drift existed.
- Those hypotheses fit observed patterns but lacked geological evidence and were later replaced by plate tectonics.
Sclater's Madagascar Origin Story
- Philip Sclater wrote The Mammals of Madagascar and proposed Lemuria to explain why lemurs were abundant there.
- He named the hypothetical landmass after lemurs and suggested it connected India and Africa before sinking.
Favor Testable Explanations
- Treat attractive explanatory ideas skeptically if they lack independent evidence.
- Prefer hypotheses that can be tested and replaced when new data arrives.
