Why the Oldest Mammal in Brazil Was Named After David Bowie

It’s unlikely that David Bowie ever thought his name would live on in the form of a fossilized tooth. Yet a discovery of an ancient tooth, believed to belong to the oldest mammal known in Brazil, has been named Brasilestes Stardusti in honor of the late British singer. It lived 70 million years ago and it’s the first indication that mammals and dinosaurs co-existed on the South American continent.
The tooth was first uncovered in December 2015, one month before David Bowie passed away in January 2016, and the researchers decided to name it in his honor. A team led by Max Langer, a professor at the University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto School of Philosophy, Science, and Letters, published its discovery in May 2018. The mammal was named Brasilestes Stardusti after Bowie’s iconic alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, who the star created for his 1972 album.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.The fossilized tooth was discovered in the state of São Paulo and is believed to date back to the Mesozoic Era between 70 million and 87 million years ago. Despite being just 3.5 mm, the tooth provides sufficient data to describe the type of mammal and its size. Over millions of years, the bones of mammals disintegrate, yet the teeth are often strong enough to become fossilized. Mammals’ chompers need to be strong in order to withstand years of chewing and grinding, unlike reptiles and fish that regularly lose and regrow teeth. As a result, scientists and researchers often use the teeth of extinct mammals to classify and identify the species.

‘Although it’s small, the Brasilestes tooth is three times bigger than all known Mesozoic mammal teeth,’ says paleontologist Mariela Cordeiro de Castro in Science Daily. ‘In the age of the dinosaurs, most mammals were the size of mice. Brasilestes was far larger, about the size of a possum.’
Bowie had a meaningful impact on Brazil. He first performed in Brazil in 1990, where he sang Sound and Vision in Rio de Janeiro and later performed in several shows again in Rio de Janeiro, as well as Curitiba and São Paulo in 1997. Bowie’s music was hugely popular and his songs become anthems for many Brazilians growing up in the 1990s.

In 2005, Brazilian musician Seu Jorge, who was a huge fan of Bowie although never had the chance to meet him in person, produced the album The Life Aquatic Studio Versions featuring Seu Jorge with Portuguese versions of Bowie’s songs. In some cases, Jorge altered the translations to fit the song, which was something that Bowie appreciated. ‘Had Seu Jorge not recorded my songs in Portuguese, I would never have heard this new level of beauty which he has imbued them with,’ Bowie is reported as saying.
Seu Jorge later played a tribute to Bowie in November 2016 by playing his versions of Bowie’s works in Brazil, which included later performances in October 2017 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.