Constructing the past. A look at Lagoa Santa paleontology

Abstract

The genius of naturalist P. W. Lund is clearly revealed in his masterly publications addressing animal physiology, zoology botany, and especially paleo- mammal zoology. Other contributions include the identification of extant and extinct species. His discoveries have served as the basis and inspiration for many researchers. Outstanding among them is H. Winge and his monumental 1,370-page work E Museo Lundii, published in the years from 1888 to 1915. This exceptional work was the result of studies of Lund's discoveries in Lagoa Santa. After Winge, in the mid-twentieth century, there was a new wave of research and publications addressing the area Lund had investigated, most notably the work of Carlos de Paulo Couto, who, in addition to studying a series of extinct species identified by Lund, published in Portuguese the scientific memorials of that most Brazilian of all Danes, making his work accessible to Brazilians. Lund has been the starting point for very many of the subsequent research efforts unfolded in that region. In addition to morphological aspects, they continue to produce phylogenetic, paleoenviron- mental, taphonomic, and chronological information and interpretations. P. W. Lund must be credited with being the pioneer of these new efforts and perspectives, including archaeological research.