INSTITUTE FOR XENOARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES: THE XENOARCHAEOLOGIST Ó 03/11/2000 by David Klingman Star Trek; Star Trek: The Next Generation; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Star Trek: Voyager; STARFL EET all © Paramount, a VIACOM company. STARFLEET: The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation in the state of NC, is not connected with Paramount, VIACOM, or Star Trek: The Official Fan Club, and has been in existence si nce 1974. Neither STARFLEET nor The Institute for Xenoarchaeological Studies intends to infringe on the copyright of Paramount, VIACOM, or any of its
Rapid Evolutionary Development through Environmental Stress: Development of Modern Vulcanoid Species
Modern Vulcanoids consist of five known races [with their taxonomic classifications and variants described]: Debrune [Homo sapiens debrunnsis, Homo sapiens debrunnsu, Homo chthia dkhasi] Mintakan [Homo sapiens mintakis, Homo sapiens mintaksu] Reman [Homo sapiens remis, Homo sapiens remasu] Romulan [Homo sapiens rhihannsis, Homo sapiens rhaksi rihannsu , Homo cthia rkhasi] Vulcan [Homo sapiens vulcanis, Homo sapiens rkhasi thkannsu, Homo sapiens thkasi thkannsu, Homo chthia tkhasi]
Classical theory has long held that all five species were and are direct descendants of an original proto-Vulcan species, which developed approximately 1 to 2 million years ago [classical theory has traditionally held that the development of a modern humanoid species occurs over a period of 2.0 to 4.0 million years, based on archaeological evidence for the development of modern Humans, Homo sapiens sapiens terrensis].
Modern theory and genetic and archaeological evidence has suggested, however, that the developmemt of modern Vulcans, Romulans, and related species is neither unimodal [i.e. has not occurred from one single parent species] nor set within traditional timeframes. Evidence is lacking for the development of modern Mintakans [due to limited studies as the Mintakans remain protected under Prime Directive Law] and modern Remans [due to long-standing political and military conflict which has prohibited access to Re man biological data].
Classical theory has held that all modern Vulcanoid species originated approximately 2000 years ago following social and political schism within the Vulcan population which led to the exodus of the Romulan progenitors [and from this stock, the development of modern Debrune and Reman species]. This theory, however, is unable to account for: - the significant morphological differences, particularly between Romulans and Vulcans and between Remans and other Vulcanoid Species - the emergence of the Mintakan species in parallel, whose social and technological development however does not parallel other Vulcanoid Species
Archaeological data and modern genetic and biological analysis now has shed light on the theory that Vulcanoid Species can in fact be divided into three subgroups: - Debrune, Romulans, and Vulcans who developed from common Vulcan stock under significant environmental stress - Mintakans who developed independently and in parallel from common humanoid seed material under traditional environmental conditions condusive to modern and sentient humanoid development - Remans who developed in parallel from common humanoid seed material under significant environmental stress
The study will focus primarily on Debrune, Romulans, and Vulcans, species for whomwe have the most biological data. We will, however, discuss at least briefly some detail of all the Vulcanoid species.
MINTAKANS
The Mintakans are a humanoid ‘Proto-Vulcan’ species whose genetic profile is derived from proto-humanoid seed material, which survived known cataclysms of 4 billion to 1 billion years ago. Mintakans, like other Vulcanoids, are known to have evolved from a felinoid proto-primate [more in this will be discussed later]. No specific single evolutionary ancestral line has been identified, however the species appears to follow classical humanoid trends, and so it is suspected that a single proto-primate ancestor will be dated at 2 to 4 million years. Modern Mintakan cultire appears to have stabilized 5000 years ago.
Mintaka [or more appropriately Mintaka III], a Class M body, is the third planet in a system of seven planets orbiting a moderate-sized main sequence yellow sun similar to Sol.
Modern Mintakans are technologically and socially less developed than other Vulcanoid species, possessing bronze-age technological development. The Mintakan species is known to be peaceful and rational, living in an agricultural society governed by moderate-sized matriarchal groups. The approximate population [as of the late 24th century] of Mintaka III is 8-11 million [a detailed census has not been performed].
REMANS
Remans are the most enigmatic of the Vulcanoid Species [if in fact they can be called Vulcanoid]. Remus is a Class M planet rich in raw metals, particularly silicates and lithium deriviatives [spectral analysis has often led to an erroneous classification of K], the second of two planets in the Romulan Star System, which consists of the two planets [Romulus and Remus] which revolve around each other and orbit a binary star system of two main stage stars. Analysis of the Romulan Star System has in fact uncovered evidence that Remus is in fact a lunar body trapped by the gravitational pull of both Romulus and the star Romulus B. The effect is such that only one east-west hemisphere of Remus is exposed to the light of the Romulan binary system and as such one hemisphere of Remus remains in total darkness. There is no information concerning the development of the Reman species in terms of whether the species developed naturally on its own in total darkness before or after the arrival of the Romulans. Humanoids have typically developed in systems with main stage red or yellow suns, however it is not uncommon for humanoid species to develop in conditions of limited light [this has even occurred in systems whose parent stars are white or blue dwarfs or on rogue planets]; it is certain, however, that following the arrival of the Romulans to the star system some 2000 years ago, the Remans have continued to develop in the total darkess of the unlit hemisphere, being consigned to the dilithium mining facilities.
The significant differences genetically and morphologically between Remans and Romulans suggest that the Remans did in fact develop [at least in a modern sense] in the unlit hemisphere, notable among these are: - the complete lack of skin pigmentation and zinc-based blood chemistry [as opposed to the copper-based blood chemistry of Vulcans and Romulans] - the known Reman aversion to light - the enlarged Reman ear and suspected ultrasonic hearing range of Remans
It is now known how old the Reman progenitor is.
More recent evidence suggests that the Remans are in fact a separate species line unrelated to either the Romulans or Vulcans. Their unique blood chemistry and body morphology was determined during the Dominion War to be highly adaptable to the low gravity low oxygen environments into which they were placed. Their high muscle: body fat ratio has historically made them ideal fodder for use by the technologically and intellectually superior Romulans during their many conflicts with neighboring species. Their classification as Vulcanoid species has therefore erroneously been attributed to their close physical, political and military proximity to the Romulans.
DEBRUNE, ROMULANS, AND VULCANS
Modern Debrune [Homo sapiens debrunnsis, Homo sapiens debrunnsu, Homo chthia dkhasi], Romulans [Homo sapiens rhihannsis, Homo sapiens rhaksi rihannsu , Homo cthia rkhasi], and Vulcans [Homo sapiens vulcanis, Homo sapiens rkhasi thkannsu, Homo sapiens thkasi thkannsu, Homo chthia tkhasi] are genetically and biologically closely related species that are known to have developed from a common ancestor on Vulcan.
Vulcan, or T’Khasi, is one of two planets orbiting 40 Eridani, a triple star system located at galactic coordinates 19.5/60.0/-0.6 – 40 Eridani A is a red giant main sequence star, 40 Eridani B is a red dwarf, 40 Eridani C is a white dwarf. The two planets are gravitationally locked to 40 Eridani A.
T’Khasi, the larger of the two planets, is a Class M body which is tectonically active, and which has a high surface gravity and temperature, lower oxygen content [approximately 20 percent lower than Earth], and the surface is which is littered with volcanic activity [approximately 12.7 times greater than earth]. T’Khut [also called Charis], the twin planet, [along with 40 Eridani A] is a massive object in the Vulcan sky - T’Khut is a Class H body which is 3.1 times more tectonically active than T’Khasi and whose nearly lifeless surface is a near molten sea of volcanoes and dust storms. The more tectonically active planet, Vulcan [T’Khasi] has gone through several major upheavals in the last 500,000 years (estimated to have occurred 130,000 years ago, 190,000 years ago, 260,000 years ago, and 410,000 years ago) - these major modern upheavals have left Vulcan both geologicaly scarred and have also nearly completely overturned the entire mantle (prior to that there was a period of approximately 200,000 years of geologic calm). Modern Vulcan is still tectonically very active - there are curently 17,104 active volcanoes, 306,071 active fault lines, and hundreds of thousands of thermal vents. Only 16 percent of the planet's surface has been stable for the last 5000 years and so there are very few major cities on the planet. The intense geologic activity has appeared to be a significant part of the rapid evolutionary change on Vulcan. T’Khasi is, in addition, a dry planet with less than 14 percent of its surface covered in stable water bodies, has a much lower oxygen content, and a much higher ultraviolet index (hence, modern Vulcans have developed higher lung capacity, altered pigment character, and the second eyelid that protects them from the harsh rays of the Vulcan solar character).
On Tectonics
Much of what we is discussed about the "Cthians" has involved a study of the tectonic activity of the planet Vulcan which has produced the unique physiological differences between Vulcans and Romulans.
Tectonics (or more appropriately plate tectonics as described on Earth) deals with the science behind the major features of a planet's surface. Theory holds that a planet that is 'tectonically active' is made of a series of surface sections known as tectnonic plates which float on a semimolten or fully molten undersurface that allows movement of these plates in multiple directions (on Earth, these plates move at speeds up to about 4 inches or 10 centimeters per year).
Some terminology: Crust - the outermost surface of the planet (generally includes continents, continental shelves, and ocean and wate beds) Mantle - the surface on which the surface crust sits (the molten layer that surrounds the core) Core - the innermost part of the planet Continental crust - outermost layer of the crust Lithosphere - center layer between outer crust and asthenosphere Asthenosphere - inner layer, often forms ancient oceanic crust
Generally, a tectonically active planet will have divergent plates (which move away from each other) which are generally ocean floor plates which form the mid- ocean ridges through rifting which makes new ocean floor (through the rise of magma through the separating plates), convergent plates (which move toward each other) which generally cause continents to slide under one another through a process known as subduction which often forms coastal or continental mountain ranges (such as the Himalayas on Earth formed from the Indian subcontinent sliding under Asia, a process which continues even today), and transforming plates (which slide along one another) which lead to the formation of (transforming) fault lines such as the San Andreas Fault in California along which often devastating 'earthquakes' occur.
Along boundaries of plate movement, volcanoes are often found which are thought to be the result of mantle plumes (columns of hot mantle that rise through the lithosphere and erupt at 'hot points' which are the locations of volcanoes often found along coasts where plates are either sliding under ir along each other (such as around the Pacific rim on Earth).
Source material/ suggested reading: World Book Online, http://www.worldbookonline.com (search word TECTONICS) This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics (USGS), http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/dynamic.html Earth's Active Volcanoes by Geographic Region, http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/world.html Reviewing the Basics (Earthquake ABCs, review of fault characteristics included), http://www.scecdc.scec.org/eqabc.html PALEOMAP Project, http://www.scotese.com/
T’Khasi [Vulcan], supports a modern population of 14 to 15 billion individuals, the modern Vulcan species known for its dedicvation to logic and intellect. The majority of the population [some 10 to 11 billion people] lives along the coastal regions of the small seas that cover less than 12 percent of the planet. T’Khut, although a nearly lifeless cauldron, does support indigenous bacteria and other microbes that are known thermofiles and survive of prebiotic matter and organic and inorganic volcanic material.
The schism of modern Vulcans [Homo sapiens thkasi thkannsu ] and Romulans [Homo sapiens rhaksi rihannsu] can be traced back some 2 millenia to the time of Surak [68BCE using the modern Human/Gregorian Calendar] during a period known as the Time of Awakening, during which the Vulcan species had been ravaged by savage warfare. It was during this time that the group that would later become the Romulans [and their offshoot, the Debrune] left in a mass exodus from the Romulan home world.
The remainder of this dissertation will focus largely on the classification of Vulcans prior to the Time of Awakening and will trace the evolution of the Vulcan species before the schism. What we know of the modern Romulans and Debrune, however, is the following: - The Romulan Exodus occurred sometime between the 1st and 10th Centuries ADE, modern Romulans appear to have developed the forhead ridge prominence sometime between the 4th and 14th centuries ADE as a response to long duration space travel [the prominence represents a thickening of bone and reduction of frontal sinus volume in response to a decreased need for head buoyancy in low gravity and varied atmospheric pressure conditions] - The Debrune Offshoot occurred sometime between the 2nd and 4th Centuries ADE, and occurred early in the exodus of the Romulans during their passage to the Barradas System [during the exodus, the Barradas system was used as an outpost by the Romulan/Debrune Exiles]; modern Debrune have settled in the ‘Debrune’ System of three planets held gravitationally by a binary pair consisting of a red giant and a small yellow sun. The third planet in the system is a tectonically active Class M body with nine moons that dominate the Debrune Sky and as such the planet bears tectonic and atmospheric similarity to Vulcan, and as such the Debrune bear closer physical similarity to Vulcans than to Romulans – they lack the prominent forehead ridging of the Romulans and also lack the yellowish skin pigmentation of the Romulans, but because of the intensity of solar radiation, the Debrune are almost uniformly dark-skinned
Both Romulus and Remus, unlike Vulcan [T’Khasi] are geologically relatively stable, having more in common with average M class planets like Earth, and so the Romulan physiology differs in some ways from the modern Vulcans, notably by the absense of the second eyelid, less pigment character, and lower lung capacity. Romulus and Remus themselves are both less geologically active, have much lower solar radiation, and much more moist climate.
Given their recent physiologic and cultural split, it is not surprising to know that most other characteristics of modern Vulcans and Romulans (and to a slightly less notable extent the Debrune and Mintakans) are nearly identical - both species have highly developed mental and telepathic ability (including the ability to mind meld), highly developed neurologic systems (including peripheral nervous systems capable of neurochemical linking with members of each species such as that seen during pon farr rituals and mind melds). It is, however, less clear whether the Romulan people actually experience ponn far as Vulcans due since Romulan emotional supression is nearly non-existent.
The major difference between Romulan and Vulcan physiology and psychology is of course in the daily emotional state - unlike Vulcans, Romulans are not known to suppress their emotions and therefore do not suffer the cyclical neurochemical imbalances seen in pon farr. Romulans, however, are not known to emote outwardly, and the dominant emotional and psychological character of a typical Romulan can beter be described as introverted, thoughtful, organized, and calculating.
Modern genetic analysis reveals that Vulcans, Romulans, and Mintakans are all cabable of crossbreeding. It is unknown if the Debrune can produce viable offspring with any other Cthian since no known offspring have been identified. Given the close genetic relationship between modern humanoids, it seems likely that this is possible.
THE VULCAN SPECIES, PRIOR TO 2000 YEARS AGO
Modern Debrune, Romulans, and Vulcans are derived from the common stock, the species indigenous to Vulcan [T’Khasi] classified as Homo sapiens rkhasi rkhannsu or also as Homo cthia rkhasi rkhannsu – the root classification cthia is derived from the Vulcan word cthi or cth’tra which means ‘thought’ or ‘mind’ [and which bears resemblance to the Vulcan root word katra or ka’tra which means ‘soul’ or ‘presense’ – Homo cthia rkhasi was, we know, essentially the equivalent of the modern Vulcan species [though less socially and intellectiually developed].
We will trace the species backward from here, touching on two eements: - The changes in taxonomic classification - The significant physical or environmental characteristics that defined a change in taxonomic classification
The following ‘overview’ of evolutionary time is given as a guide as we describe Vulcan evolution. Vulcans [and to a similar degree, Debrune] are somewhat uniquely challenged to rapid development change due to the harsh environmental conditions imposed by their environment. It should be noted that in a classical sense, there is a significant amount of overlap between one species and the next, and it is difficult if not impossible to define clear boundaries between ancestral species either in time or in physical characteristic. Several facts can be stated, however: - Clearly defined geologic periods are much harder to determine due to the violent tectonic upheavals; prior to 600,000 years ago, there is almost no geologic record that contains viable material for evolutionary study - Major developmental changes occur over thousands or tens of thousands of years rather than hundreds of thousands or millions of years - The sentient or thinking Vulcan defined as the genus cthia appears some 90-94 thousand years ago after the most recent tectonic upheaval; bipedalism appears some 140,000 to 190,000 years ago and a more modern humanoid species emerges during the next to last tectonic upheaval
The lines of primates, le’matyas, and sehlats (progenitors of modern primates and dominant carnivores on Vulcan) appear between 600,000 and 470,000 years ago during a quiet age in Vulcan’s geohistory: Line of primates Tharfal® Tharsiul [see Table 1] Line of le’matyas Larfal® Larful, Larsul® Larsiul® Lariul, Lariut, Leriut, Lemiut, Lemetut, Lematut, Lematyut® Lematya (common), Lematyat (greater), Lematyit (lesser), Lematyim (walking) Line of sehlats Sarfal® Sarful, Sarsul® Sarsiul, Sarsius® Sarsus, Sorsus® Sohusus, Sohutus, Sohlutus® Sohlatus, Sehlatus® Sehlatya
Mammalian lines and other forms of multicellular animal life have not yet been traced to their origins due to multiple violent tectonic upheavels prior to 600,000 years ago. Prior to 600,000 years ago, the following grouping of organisms is known: Arfal [probable progenitor of greater mammals which includes the lines of primates] Arctho [probable progenitor of lesser mammals, no modern forms exist] Aryfa [reptiles and amphibians] Aryfos [fishes] Ryfos [sponges and corals] Rymomys [worms] Rymys [insects] Ryctis [arachnids] Langal, Lalga, Talga, Terga [avian forms, birds]
Few modern forms are left in the groupings of Aryfa, Aryfos, and Ryfos – these species have been unable to withstand the environmental changes and loss of planetary moisture, and aquatic forms are simply no longer supported in any great numbers by Vulcan’s small and highly acidic seas.
The table below presents an overview of species classification in Vulcan geologic time:
Homo cthia rkhasi rkhannsu [2800-2000 years ago] Homo cthia mkhasi rkhannsu [2800-2200 years ago] Homo cthia mkhasi/mkhannsu [3000-2400 years ago] Homo cthia mhthannsu [3300-2700 years ago] Homo cthia mhtannsu [3800-3100 years ago] Homo cthia mitannsu [4400-3700 years ago] Homo cthia mintannsu [5000-4300 years ago] Homo cthia mintannksu (?) Þ Homo sapiens mintakis mintaksu [Appearing c.5000 years ago] Homo cthia intannsu [30,000-5,000 years ago] Homo cthia entannsu [80,000-30,000 years ago] Homo cthia entacthu [80,000-30,000 years ago] Homo cthia entacthi [80,000-30,000 years ago] Homo cthia entaktvehi [early writings, c.81,000 years ago] Homo cthia entakatra [presense of a Vulcan ‘katra’ or ‘soul’ estimated c. 88,000 years ago] Homo cthia entaorkika [92,000-88,000 years ago] Homo cthia entafalikal [94,000-90,000 years ago] Homo entafal Homo ekhafal (?) [99,000-91,000 years ago] Homo entafur Homo entaffur Homo ekhafur, Homo ekhaffur [99,000-96,000 years ago] Homo entaffus Homo ekhassus, Homo ekhassur [125,000-95,000 years ago] Homo effus Homo essus [130,000-110,000 years ago] Homo hessus [c.130,000 years ago, during violent tectonic upheaval] Tkhomo hessus [prior to 130,000 years ago] Tkhomo hescus [184,000-140,000? years ago] Tkhomo hesticus [189,000-140,000? years ago] Tkhomo hetrecus Tkhaso hetrecus Tklhaso hetrecus Tkhitsko hetrecus [190,000-140,000? years ago] Ekhaso hetrecus [c.190,000 years ago, during violent tectonic upheaval] Ekhaso heticlis Ekhaso hericris [prior to 190,000 years ago] Ekhaso hecris [prior to 190,000 years ago] Ekhaso ecris, Ekhaso ecyris [prior to 190,000 years ago] Ekhasorkiko ecyris [233,000-190,000?] Ekhasorkiko imyris [233,000-190,000?] Ekhasorkiko imyroi [238,000-210,000?] Ekhasorkiko imroy [first erect walking primates, c.238,000 years ago?] Ekhasorkiko fal [c.250,000 – c.235,000?] Ekhasorkiko, Ekhasokumi, Atsokumis, Itsokumis [c.260,000 years ago, during violent tectonic upheaval] Ekhumis Sokumis [prior to 260,000 years ago] Ekhobis, Ekhobus Sokhubis, Sokhubus [prior to 260,000 years ago] Ekhosus Sokhusus, Sohusus [prior to 260,000 years ago] Ekhosul [circa 300,000-260,000 years ago] Ekhasul, Ekharsul [circa 300,000-260,000 years ago] Etharsul, Etharsiul [circa 300,000-280,000 years ago] Tharsiul [circa 330,000-290,000 years ago] Tharsul, Tharful [circa 340,000-310,000 years ago] Tharfal (first primate on Vulcan)® see Tharsiul et.al. above [earliest specimen c. 410,000 years ago, following tectonic upheaval] Homo cthia rkhasi rkhannsu [2800-2000 years ago] Typically modern Vulcans, it is this group from which the Romulan and Debune offshoots occur, it is during this period that the Vulcans developed space travel and ultimately warp technology. An essentially modern Vulcan, Homo sapiens rkhasi rkhannsu splits approximately 2000 years ago into the predecessors of modern Vulcans who followed Surak's path to logic and the predecessors of modern Romulans (and Debrune) that left the planet at the Time of Awakening during the year of Surak (matched to 68BC on the modern Terran calendar). Between the 1st and 10th centuries AD (Terran calendar), the pre-Romulan culture made its way to what are now known as the planets Romulus and Remus located in the Beta Quadrant. Sometime before the 8th century AD the pre-Debrune civilization left the larger group in what is know known as the Barradas System to form the Debrune culture.
Homo cthia mkhasi rkhannsu [2800-2200 years ago] Homo cthia mkhasi mkhannsu [3000-2400 years ago] The Mkhasi represent the technologically advanced Vulcans, during these periods we see the development of the mkhan [physical machinery] and rkhan [electrical or electromagnetic machinery] that led to the development of space travel that would later allow the Vulcan and Romulan species to venture out into space
Homo cthia mhthannsu [3300-2700 years ago] The Mhthan Vulcans’ most significant achievement is the development of industry, which overlaps with the clearly industrial period of the Mkhasi
Homo cthia mhtannsu [3800-3100 years ago] The Mhtan Vulcans are classically described as the Iron Age Vulcans
Homo cthia mitannsu [4400-3700 years ago] The Mitan Vulcans are classically described as the Bronze Age Vulcans
Homo cthia mintannsu [5000-4300 years ago] This represents what could be classically described as a Tin and Copper Age for Vulcan, it is also during this time that a subgroup identified as Homo cthia mintannksu may have developed into a dead-end line ending with a species identified as Homo sapiens mintakis mintaksu -a ppearing c.5000 years ago, it was until recently unclear whether Mintakans developed from or in parallel with this pre-Vulcans offshoot, it is now known that the Mintakans are a separate species which developed in parallel, not from the Vulcans directly.
Homo cthia intannsu [30,000-5,000 years ago] The common ancestor Homo cthia intannsu appears to be a common ancestor from between 30,000 and 5,000 years ago. At that point, the species Homo cthia mintannksu appears to have developed into two distinct species, Homo cthia mintannsu (which would be the ancestor of modern Vulcans, Romulans, and Debrune) and the older species of type mintannksu which shares more genetic character with the modern Mintakans (although how the modern Mintakans came to cross multiple star systems remains a mystery).
Homo cthia entannsu [80,000-30,000 years ago] Homo cthia entacthu [80,000-30,000 years ago] Homo cthia entacthi [80,000-30,000 years ago] The period between 80,000 and 5,000 years ago represents a long period of relative stability for the pre-Vulcan civilization. It is during this period that the planet remained relatively inactive geologically and during which surface water increased and larger communities developed. Strangely, it is during this period that a stable period was maintained socially and communally. Many of Vulcan’s most ancient structures, particularly its temples and religious structures, were built during this period [Humans have often referred to this as the Vulcan ‘Egyptian’ or ‘dynastic’ period]
Homo cthia entaktvehi [c.81,000 years ago] We see during this period the origination of Vulcan early writing and numerical systems known as the ktvehi
Homo cthia entakatra [c. 88,000 years ago] It is during this period that we see evidence for the presense of a Vulcan katra or ‘soul’ and the development of a spoken language [mo re recent evidence suggests that early writing systems bearing resemblance to hieroglyphics developed later in this period as well], it can be described with some accuracy as a ‘Late Stone Age’ as well
Homo cthia entaorkika [92,000-88,000 years ago] Homo cthia entafalikal [94,000-90,000 years ago] The period from 95,000 to 88,000 years ago represents Vulcan’s Stone Age, and what evidence exists in the geologic record indicates that the first tools developed during this period. Spoken languages may also have been present during the later stages of this period. It is during this period, some 95,000-90,000 years ago that a clearly defined ‘thinking’ Vulcan emerges and the presence of cthi is identified [Vulcan scholars have identified evidence of an early word whose pronounciation resembles cthi or khi or khee to identify the idea or notion of self]
Homo entafal and Homo ekhafal [99,000-91,000 years ago] Homo entafur, Homo entaffur, Homo ekhafur, and Homo ekhaffur [99,000-96,000 years ago] Homo entaffus, Homo ekhassus, and Homo ekhassur [125,000-95,000 years ago] Homo effus and Homo essus [130,000-110,000 years ago] Homo hessus [c.130,000 years ago] A violent tectonic upheaval is known to have occurred on Vulcan approximately 130,000 years ago. The predominant surviving species, Homo hessus, a more or less bipedal erect- walking primate, would form the basis for which the development of sentient Vulcan species would develop. Homo hessus would develop into two species, Homo effus and Homo essus – Homo essus represents a dead evolutionary line [a robust form lacking the leg and hip morphology to develop walking as a predominant form of locomotion] Homo effus would itself develop into at least three species, Homo entaffus, Homo ekhassus, and Homo ekhassur – the three species differ most significantly due to variances in blood type and chemistry - only Homo entaffus survives due to superior oxygen-binding characteristics and copper-heme structure. Homo entaffus develops into at least four species, Homo entafur, Homo entaffur, Homo ekhafur, and Homo ekhaffur, which differ in two major respects, morphology and number of sinuses in the head cavity and chest wall morphology. Homo entafur emerged as the superior form and from this species would develop into Homo entafal – the species predating Homo cthia entafalikal. It is evident that there is a significant amount of overlap among these species, and through mitochondrial [maternal] DNA analysis there has been shown to be significant overlap of species definition among these dozen [perhaps more] species, and clear definition of species lines is more difficult to determine.
Tkhomo hessus [prior to 130,000 years ago] Tkhomo hescus [184,000-140,000? years ago] Tkhomo hesticus [189,000-140,000? years ago] Tkhomo hetrecus, Tkhaso hetrecus, Tklhaso hetrecus, and Tkhitsko hetrecus [190,000-140,000? years ago] The Tkhomo genera of 190,000-130,000 years ago are the first true erect-walking ancestors of the modern Vulcan species that survived a violent tectonic cataclysm that occurred some 190,000 years ago. The Tkhomo genera were the larges surviving groups following this upheaval, wheras the Tkhaso [an intermediate erect-walker with a prehensile tail] Tklhaso [an intermediate erect-walker with no prehensile tail] and Tkhitsko [quadruped] genera lacked the stable bipedal character and cranial capacity to survive the cataclysm. Recent evidence suggests, however, that the Tkhomo genus may have in fact developed from rather than in parallel with Tkhaso [see Ekhaso hetrecus below]
Ekhaso hetrecus [c.190,000 years ago] Ekhaso heticlis and Ekhaso hericris [prior to 190,000 years ago] Ekhaso hetrecus represents a predominant species, which existed at or about the same time as Ekhaso heticlis, and Ekhaso hericris - Ekhaso hetrecus developed from Ekhaso heticlis during or before the major cataclysm of 190,000 years ago. It is less clear as to why Ekhaso heticlis survived and Ekhaso hericris did not, although hip and knee articulations may have played a part, enabling the species to better mobilize and adapt to the cataclysm. Interestingly, tissue genetic sampling suggests that kidney morphology and filtering capacity may have played a role, allowing Ekhaso heticlis to more efficiently filter the highly acidic water of Vulcan’s dwindling oceans during this period [and thus allowing this genus to better adapt to a semi-aquatic lifestyle to better survive the heat and ash flows from severe volcanism during this period]
Ekhaso hecris [prior to 190,000 years ago] Ekhaso ecris and Ekhaso ecyris [prior to 190,000 years ago] Ekhasorkiko ecyris [233,000-190,000?] Ekhasorkiko imyris [233,000-190,000?] Ekhasorkiko imyroi [238,000-210,000?] Ekhasorkiko imroy [c.238,000 years ago?] The first erect-walking primates, Ekhasorkiko imroy, appear during this period, almost 50,000 years before previously thought in the geologic record. However, these primates either do not seem to survive the period leading up to the cataclysm of 190,000 years ago or perhaps lose the ability and revert to a quadrupedal form of locomo tion. Little evidence for environmental conditions exists during this period, but deep substrata suggest that there may have been a growth of surface foliage and increase in the number and area of bodies of water, thus allowing species to exist in an arboreal and/or aquatic environment.
Ekhasorkiko fal [c.250,000 – c.235,000?] The predominant precursor to Ekhasorkiko imroy, this species is loosely characterized as a quadrupedal lemur-like primate with bipedal tendencies and a thermoregulatory organ that may have assisted it in surviving increased surface temperatures.
Ekhasorkiko, Ekhasokumi, Atsokumis, and Itsokumis [c.260,000 years ago, during violent tectonic upheaval] Ekhumis and Sokumis [prior to 260,000 years ago] Ekhobis, Ekhobus, Sokhubis, and Sok hubus [prior to 260,000 years ago] Ekhosu, Sokhusus, and Sohusus [prior to 260,000 years ago] Ekhosul [circa 300,000-260,000 years ago] Ekhasul and Ekharsul [circa 300,000-260,000 years ago] Etharsul and Etharsiul [circa 300,000-280,000 years ago] The period from 300,000 to 260,000 years ago sees the development of a lemur-like sehlat, an intermediate primate, through more than a dozen genera and species [it is morte likely that several dozen species existed during this period between the tectonic upheaval of 410,000 years ago and the later upheaval of 260,000 years ago. Little biological data exists to dinstinguish the species, research is ongoing.
Tharsiul [circa 330,000-290,000 years ago] Tharsul and Tharful [circa 340,000-310,000 years ago] Tharfal (first primate on Vulcan) Tharfal represents the earliest specimen of clearly defined primate on Vulcan, the earliest known specimens date to circa 410,000 years ago, following a violent tectonic upheaval. Tharfal can best be described as a lemur-like primate with long broad batlike ears, a flattened catlike face, and specimen fragments suggest a robust jaw and teeth capable of both carnivorous and herbivorous dietary processing. It is thought that Tharfal lacked a prehensile tail and that Tharsul and Tharful are the species with and without prehensile tails [respectively] that are the descendants of Tharfal – Tharsul is the progenitor of Tharsiul that would continue the line of Vulcan primates.
Interestingly, Tharfal is the ONLY primate progenitor to have survived the early period of primate development; there are no modern descendants that can be characterized as primates [as compared to Earth, where there are many primate species]. Tharfal is known to have had an opposeable thumb, unlike ano other mammalian forms of the time [the line of le’matyas derived from Larfal and line of sehlats derived from Sarfal lacked opposeable thumbs and as such all modern mammals other than modern Vulcan humanoids lack these traits and all modern mammals on Vulcan can be described either as le’matyas or sehlats.
Modern Vulcan is therefore a composite of higher species [mammals] which consist of Vulcans [the only sentient species indigenous to the planet] and the lines of le’matyas and sehlats, few reptilian and amphibian/aquatic forms, numerous worms, insects, and arachnids, and some avian forms [which may also be derivatives of an ancestor of both ancient le’matyas and sehlats. Modern Vulcan is, relatively speaking, a barren planet in terms of higher life forms. Its modern composition of life is the direct result of at least 5 recent planet-wide tectonic upheavals and, prior to 600,000 years ago, little of the geologic record remains intact so that few conclusions can be made.
Current speculation is that prior to the upheaval of 600,000 years ago, Vulcan was populated by a relatively small population of progenitor species to Tharfal, Larfal, and Sarfal and the remainder of pre -primate forms were predominantly aquatic and insect/arachnic/wormlike forms, with little or no dominance of vertebrate species prior to 600,000 years ago.