a distant relative died...

May 19, 2009 5:55 PM

Ida may have been overcome by carbon dioxide gas while drinking from the Messel lake, which was often covered by a low-lying blanket of gas. Hampered by a broken wrist, she may have fallen into unconsciousness and may have slipped into the lake. She sunk to the bottom and was preserved for 47 million years.

And apart from Ida, a host of other amazing fossils from the Messel site can be seen at this Guardian page.

posted by flapjax at midnite (23 comments total)

May also have been killed by the overpowering stench of double.
posted by DU at 5:59 PM on May 19, 2009 [3 favorites]

Haha! Nice one, DU!

In other news...

IDA IS STILL DEAD!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:03 PM on May 19, 2009 [4 favorites]

Double. Sorry.
posted by anastasiav at 6:05 PM on May 19, 2009

Thanks for letting us know... missed the double notice the first time.

AND SHE'S STILL DEAD!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:06 PM on May 19, 2009

GeneralIDAmo FrancIDco Franco. McIda.
posted by DU at 6:07 PM on May 19, 2009

Quite honestly, though, this post is way better put together.
posted by dunkadunc at 6:09 PM on May 19, 2009

Actually, I'd say that the articles and photo gallery I've linked to in this FPP might be able to coexist nicely here at MeFi with Mr. Attenborough's video (though I haven't watched it yet).

On the other hand, as the OP, perhaps I'm out of bounds in suggesting that.

Anyway, I LOVE YOU IDA! I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU IDA!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:11 PM on May 19, 2009

this monkey, it fossilizes?
posted by From Bklyn at 6:11 PM on May 19, 2009

If it makes you feel any better, I missed the first post. So... um... good double!
posted by Humanzee at 6:16 PM on May 19, 2009

Hey! This thing's a double!
posted by Pecinpah at 6:22 PM on May 19, 2009

What's her name, Ida Knowhowtosearchforrecentposts?

(/me punches flapjax on arm) har har!
posted by not_on_display at 6:25 PM on May 19, 2009 [3 favorites]

Nice setup. It totally clicked this one before the other.
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 6:27 PM on May 19, 2009

Pecinpah, dude, don't link to frikkin' ebaumsworld, not even as a joke.

You are banned.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:28 PM on May 19, 2009

Every time I see your picture, Ida I have to ring my latest girlfriend and fire her
And find a prostitute that looks like you and hire her! Oh me oh Ida!
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:31 PM on May 19, 2009 [1 favorite]

The missing link.
posted by fire&wings at 6:38 PM on May 19, 2009

The baby Jesus put that fossil there, just as he put this deleted double here.
posted by chococat at 6:39 PM on May 19, 2009

This one should stay. DELETE THE ONE POSTED FIRST.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 6:44 PM on May 19, 2009

Flapjax, keep your doubles to yourself.

See what I did there?.
posted by Pecinpah at 6:45 PM on May 19, 2009

I prefer the writing on this one.
posted by Joe Beese at 6:52 PM on May 19, 2009

So, this Ida...she's still dead?

How about now?
posted by arachnid at 7:10 PM on May 19, 2009

Man, I hate when I do that.
posted by Reverend John at 7:10 PM on May 19, 2009

CAN'T STOP DOING THE MONKEY!
posted by furtive at 7:15 PM on May 19, 2009

This is a better post...what a conundrum. (Plus I've never had a chance to comment on a post that was about to get axed.).
posted by mike_bling at 7:17 PM on May 19, 2009