Orangutanes, pigmeos y sátiros

Abstract

We study here the impact that the European discovery of pongids (anthropoids)–chimpanzees and orang-utans– during the XVIth century had had on the incipient Primatology and on Philosophy. Since “orang-utan” was used to refer both to orang-utans and chimpanzees until the beginning of the XIXth century, our title reflects the state of the science then. There was also a question concerning certain Humans, the pygmies, but also some chimeras: satyrs,  sphinges, etc., whose existence the scientists refute, not before wondering if they were not anthropoids. The Eastern Indian and African trade will bring hitherto unknown animals to Europe, as the anthropoids. Bondt (Bontius) will mention the real orang-utan and Tulp (Tulpius) and Tyson will observe and dissect, in two different moments, two infant chimpanzees. Tyson will conduct a comparative anatomical study of the baboon, the chimpanzee and Man, thus establishing, in 1699, the actual origin of Primatology.