The Doggerland Skull, by Huinárë

[huinare.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Challenge: ‘There is a modern-day archaeological discovery that ties in with Elves and proves they did exist (in the manner of finding King Tut or Richard III). Of course, there still a few elves still living... somewhere. They're just super-talented at not being noticed.’ - Samtyr

Format: Ficlet, drawing

Genre: Gen, epistolary, experimental

Rating: G

Warnings: Osteological geekery? Also, large embedded image.

Characters: OFC, mystery character

Pairings: n/a

Creators' Notes (optional): I am not sure that this fulfills all aspects of Samtyr’s very inspired prompt. My initial reading of the prompt focused on the evidence itself and not quite so much the possible ramifications for any of the Eldar who still linger among us.

Dear taggers - no, I do not want that character tagged. =)
Dear readers - if the image is too large to see properly on the community page, clicking on the image should take you to the full version.

Summary: Two academics discuss a recently-excavated prehistoric skeleton.

Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 05:28:04
From: lagank@hinteru.edu
Subject: Doggerland Skull
To: maclaa@hinteru.edu

Actually, I tried the tea and I still couldn’t sleep. Instead I continued to pore over the data, drew up some new diagrams for the layperson, and also tripped over the cat [he’s still mad at me] and am the more convinced of my rightness.

I think I should hand my diagrams out at the next faculty meeting!

Y/N?

Kassandra Laganà, PhD
Professor of Osteology and Archaeology
Department of Anthropology
Hinterlands State University

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 10:19:32
From: maclaa@hinteru.edu
Subject: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: lagank@hinteru.edu

I’d reconsider that after sleeping on it (I trust you are currently sleeping now, and not lurking about in some café on your third mocha with a manic grin on your face).

Your data is intriguing, but you have very little support.


Sent from my iPhone

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 10:46:53
From: lagank@hinteru.edu
Subject: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: maclaa@hinteru.edu

It’s only my second mocha. Give me some credit Mac.

Maybe you’re right. But you didn’t see this thing! the conclusions are very obvious, at least to an osteologist. All right so maybe what I need to do is present the data (that’s data ARE intriguing btw) at the conference, plenty of exposure so someone is bound to see the light.

Kassandra Laganà, PhD
Professor of Osteology and Archaeology
Department of Anthropology
Hinterlands State University

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 11:04:08
From: maclaa@hinteru.edu
Subject: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: lagank@hinteru.edu

Peer review. I thought you physical anthropologists were all about cruel scathing soul-rending peer review before presenting stuff.


Sent from my iPhone

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 11:08:22
From: lagank@hinteru.edu
Subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: maclaa@hinteru.edu

Yes and let’s just say it won’t pass muster because my staid and honorable peers mistake my assertions for some kind of whimsical supernaturalistic mumbo-jumbo. One anonymous reviewer said and I quote: “Laganà has been reading too many fantasy novels.”

I should just leaflet at the conference tomorrow!

Kassandra Laganà, PhD
Professor of Osteology and Archaeology
Department of Anthropology
Hinterlands State University

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 11:12:00
From: maclaa@hinteru.edu
Subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: lagank@hinteru.edu

NO.


Sent from my iPhone

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 11:12:47
From: lagank@hinteru.edu
Subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: maclaa@hinteru.edu

Why not

Kassandra Laganà, PhD
Professor of Osteology and Archaeology
Department of Anthropology
Hinterlands State University

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 11:17:31
From: maclaa@hinteru.edu
Subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: lagank@hinteru.edu

Because that will make you look precisely like the sort of crackpot you don’t wish to be construed as? Then perhaps the Museum won’t let you back to see the bones again?

For pity’s sake do get some sleep before making any decisions on this.


Sent from my iPhone

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 11:29:06
From: lagank@hinteru.edu
Subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: maclaa@hinteru.edu

You know, you’re probably right. Not sure why you took such a keen interest in this research if you’re so eager to shut me down, but I guess someone has to do it.

Kassandra Laganà, PhD
Professor of Osteology and Archaeology
Department of Anthropology
Hinterlands State University

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 12:37:26
From: maclaa@hinteru.edu
Subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: lagank@hinteru.edu

I want to “shut you down” precisely because it’s interesting. Don’t try and do anything with it until it can be credible to others.


Sent from my iPhone

_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 13:09:48
From: lagank@hinteru.edu
Subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: maclaa@hinteru.edu
Attachment: DOGGERLAND SKULL SUTURE CLOSURE FOR DUMMIES.PNG

Thanks, Mac, I probably wouldn’t have lasted this long if my colleagues didn’t sometimes reel me back in.

But just have a look at the simplified thing I made last night. The ramifications! I’m not rabid about this for nothing!

Kassandra Laganà, PhD
Professor of Osteology and Archaeology
Department of Anthropology
Hinterlands State University



_____________________________________________________________


Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2015 19:44:13
From: maclaa@hinteru.edu
Subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: lagank@hinteru.edu

That’s really fascinating, Kass!

As you know, my understanding of the subject matter is pretty limited so it’s difficult for me to offer comments. However…and I’m not saying there could not have existed a long-lived species such as this! In fact, you make a compelling argument for it…however, if I understand the suture closure thing correctly, I would doubt that any of these proposed long-lived human beings would still be alive today. I mean, would the bone keep growing after the sutures were fully closed? Wouldn’t their skulls get too thick and heavy or possibly the bone would intrude on their brain? Maybe there is a reason this proposed being is evidently extinct.

In any case, I am as ever impressed by your extensive knowledge and innovative hypotheses. Please keep me updated.

Aiken Maclaren, PhD
Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology
Department of Anthropology
Hinterlands State University

_____________________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 04:43:27
From: lagank@hinteru.edu
Subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Doggerland Skull
To: maclaa@hinteru.edu

Thanks for having a look. An animal whose skull kept ossifying to the point of endangering its brain would be selected against obviously. So yes, either it would have died out, OR: ossification does not continue after complete suture closure. I don’t see why it would [continue]! That’s not the way it works in healthy individuals of any species that I know of.

Would you believe I slept 12 hrs? Off to class soon, I’m showing Intro that video today that at least one person inevitably gets righteously offended by. Have fun at the orchestra flash mob thingy.

Kassandra Laganà, PhD
Professor of Osteology and Archaeology
Department of Anthropology
Hinterlands State University

Comments

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

What a fascinating idea, I enjoyed this.Very clever and well thought out. People don't seem to be sticking slavishly to the prompts if some other responses are any indication. You made this very convincing.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed!

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I love it! You've convinced me!

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thanks much, Kaylee!

[moetushie]

And Kassandra gets a surprise visit from Dr. Caleb Orne, noted plant biologist, and his associate/grandson Elroy Here, right? ;)

This is an awesome take on a great prompt!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

She so should!

[dreamflower]

And of course, "Aiken Maclaren, ethnomusicologist" would not possibly have any ulterior motives for discouraging his friend from making her findings public? ;^)

This is brilliant!

[huinare.livejournal.com]

No of course he absolutely would not have ulterior motives (although I think he also genuinely doesn't want to see her made a laughingstock for throwing an unorthodox interpretation around willy nilly). ;)

Thanks, Dreamflower!

[zdenka]

Ahaha! Poor Kassandra, telling the truth and not believed! ;) I suspected who maclaa must be from his email address, but he will remain He Who Shall Not Be Tagged. (Sorry, it's late and that makes me silly.)

And those are great diagrams!

[huinare.livejournal.com]

I know right? Some of my naming choices in this story had all the subtlety of a smallish sledgehammer. :D

I definitely wanted people to guess/suspect Dr. Maclaren's identity, but a tag would've taken the fun right out of that.

Thank you!

[binkaslibrary.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, very clever! Wonderful response to the prompt :D Thank you!

[huinare.livejournal.com]

And thank you for reading and commenting! =)

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I love this. Of course the sutures would completely disappear over time whilst the teeth would remain in good condition in an individual designed for extreme longevity.

Dr McLaren may not wish to have his skull X rayed for a comparison though....

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Wombat!

Dr McLaren may not wish to have his skull X rayed for a comparison though....

Oh goodness, no, that wouldn't do at all. Note to Dr. Maclaren: try not to endure any head trauma in this era of modern medical technology.

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Love bringing Physical Anthro into the mix here, and the interplay of text messages worked really well. Love the diagrams and the logic behind this, too.

- Erulisse (one L)

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, Erulisse! This one was kind of ridiculously fun to do.

[ladyelleth.livejournal.com]

Haaaa, perfect! Also, words can't my delight about Doggerland. :D Now I'm wondering... Storegga tsunami = sinking of Beleriand? And did [character] know the skull's owner? Methinks they need to find someone to make a facial reconstruction.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

:DDD

Now I'm wondering... Storegga tsunami = sinking of Beleriand?

*hands Elleth all the internets*

Methinks they need to find someone to make a facial reconstruction.

*bashes bunnies frantically with a club tibia*

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

This is just wonderful! Perfect, even. I love how you combined the texts and the sketch & notes; it all makes a very plausible theory, even if more research needs to be done. I'm hoping that there will be more 'bones' to be discovered. :)

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, Samtyr (and for the excellent prompt)!

This may have opened a can of worms in my brain, since prior to this I hadn't delved into any contemporary-era fic.

[zopyrus.livejournal.com]

I thought this was a great execution of the prompt--any more detail about Kassandra's mysterious friend would have been distracting, so I'm glad you kept him on the margins. I liked the science, too--I didn't know that about bone sutures and your explanation of what might happen to an elf skull over time seemed plausible to me!

Also, I loled at the orchestra flash mob line.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thanks thanks! I must here confess to being pleased if this fic could inform people a little about osteology (a current passion of mine, although I am by no means an expert /disclaimer).

I added the orchestra flash mob in at the last minute, as it seemed to be missing something!

[suzll.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is FABULOUS :D

[huinare.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU I am happy you liked it!

[shirebound]

So clever! This is delightful.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[tehta.livejournal.com]

Ha! No, you clearly have not considered the ramifications for any remaining Elves, AT ALL.

I am not sure why "long lived humanoids" should be considered such a crackpot idea, though. Especially given the evidence...

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Heh, no, not in the least!

(That authorial note resulted from when I reread the prompt after writing the fic, and interpreted it differently upon rereading, as in "a story about Elves in modern times who must deal with the discovery by modern mortals that Elves are indeed real," and I thought to myself "that's not really quite what I wrote." I.e. overthinking things.)

I am not sure why "long lived humanoids" should be considered such a crackpot idea, though. Especially given the evidence...

I think Dr. Laganà would be very likely to be dismissed for drawing such a conclusion from one specimen (however intuitively spot on she is in this case). It could as well be a medical anomaly, without other similar specimens to corroborate her claims.

[hhimring]

Excellent!
Maybe Professor Maclaren is thinking of some particular thick-sculled individuals, whose bone may have intruded on their brains and led to the (near-)extinction of their race?

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Himring!

Is your jest aimed at other Fëanorians mayhap?

[starbrow.livejournal.com]

This was great! Love the hints at Maclaren's identity - orchestra flash mob indeed!

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Heheheh. :D Thanks, glad you enjoyed.

[angelica-ramses.livejournal.com]

What an original story - both in the form and in the content! And perfectly executed.

Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology attending orchestra flash mobs indeed! :D

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Angelica! I did enjoy creating this story.

I added the "orchestra flash mob" line rather late in the game, as it somehow seemed to be missing something, but since then I haven't been able to put that image out of my mind. :D

[independence1776]

EEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! I love everything about this story! The explanations, the characters, the drawing, the format-- everything.

One of the reasons I love modern day fic so much is the possibility of people discovering the Elves and the consequences, and how the Elves try to keep hidden. And this story approaches it from both that angle and the scientific one. So I'm very, very happy right now.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Indy! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I had a lark writing it.

[lynndyre.livejournal.com]

This is fascinating and makes me want so many facets of science applied to Middle Earth history - Awesome idea, especially the skull presentation!

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it.

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Oh, the latent archaeologist in me is fascinated already! Cool--way cool! Love it!

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Larner! I simply could not resist writing this once the idea had struck me.

[mybluerose1990.livejournal.com]

This is a great idea! Although I wonder since Elves mature more quickly than humans at a young age if some of the sutures would fuse early. Maybe sagittal fusion begins earlier? (*asks the physical anthropology student*) Anyway awesome story and love how it’s formatted as a bunch of email exchanges.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reading and commenting, glad you liked the story! =D

Ooh, could you elaborate on your comment? The Elves are the thing about Tolkien I'm least familiar with (yes, unusual); when you say Elves mature more quickly than mortals, do you mean literally more quickly than mortals, or quickly relative to the length of their own Elven childhoods?

I'd not thought about this, but my take on it would be that Elf juveniles would need at least as long as mortals for brain growth and development. A creature with heightened senses and some telepathic or other unusual abilities would probably need more time for such a very complex brain to mature, IMO.

[ladybrooke]

Yeesssssssssss! This is awesome, Huin. :D I'm so glad you bought this prompt to write.

(And yay for the untagged character. :D He's awesome here).

[huinare.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Brooke, so glad you liked the story! (I found a typo in my image file, need to fix that, sigh)

I was just looking through some of the stalls yesterday and noticed you'd bought Elleth's megafauna safari prompt. Hope you have the time to write that one. :D