Memory Alpha
Memory Alpha
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The '''ancient humanoids''' are one of the oldest [[sentience|sentient]] [[species]] and possibly the first [[humanoid]] [[species]] to [[evolution|evolve]] in the [[Milky Way Galaxy]]. They flourished some [[distant past|4.5 billion years ago]] and explored the galaxy, but found no other [[lifeform]]s like themselves.
 
The '''ancient humanoids''' are one of the oldest [[sentience|sentient]] [[species]] and possibly the first [[humanoid]] [[species]] to [[evolution|evolve]] in the [[Milky Way Galaxy]]. They flourished some [[distant past|4.5 billion years ago]] and explored the galaxy, but found no other [[lifeform]]s like themselves.
   
Knowing that the lifespan of a single species was finite, they seeded the primordial environments of many [[planet]]s, including [[Earth]], [[Cardassia Prime]], [[Indri VIII]], [[Loren III]], [[Qo'noS]], [[Ruah IV]], [[Vilmor II]], and [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]], with [[DNA]] fragments that would direct the [[evolution]] of life on that planet towards a form similar to their own. These fragments of DNA also contained parts of a computer program containing a message from an ancient humanoid explaining its race and their actions. It was hoped that their descendant species would come together in the spirit of cooperation in order to assemble the program.
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Knowing that the lifespan of a single species was finite, the ancient humanoids seeded the primordial environments of many [[planet]]s with a [[DNA]] code that would direct the [[evolution]] of life on that planet towards a form similar to their own. At least [[Earth]], [[Indri VIII]], [[Loren III]], [[Ruah IV]] and [[Vilmor II]] were directly seeded by the ancient race. Some of the fragments of DNA also contained parts of a computer program designed to display a holographic message from an ancient humanoid explaining its race and their actions. It was hoped that their descendant species would come together in the spirit of cooperation in order to assemble the program.
   
 
In the [[2360s]], the noted [[Federation]] [[archaeologist]] [[Professor]] [[Richard Galen]] discovered the existence of the program and began collecting the genetic samples. However, the [[Klingon]]s and [[Cardassian]]s also learned of the program and sent expeditions of their own to assemble it, each believing it to contain a great [[technology|technological]] advance, while the [[Romulan]]s observed all of them under [[cloak]]. After Galen's death, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} was able to convince the Klingons and the Cardassians to cooperate with them to finish the program.
 
In the [[2360s]], the noted [[Federation]] [[archaeologist]] [[Professor]] [[Richard Galen]] discovered the existence of the program and began collecting the genetic samples. However, the [[Klingon]]s and [[Cardassian]]s also learned of the program and sent expeditions of their own to assemble it, each believing it to contain a great [[technology|technological]] advance, while the [[Romulan]]s observed all of them under [[cloak]]. After Galen's death, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} was able to convince the Klingons and the Cardassians to cooperate with them to finish the program.
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== Background ==
 
== Background ==
It is possible that most or all of the humanoid species encountered in the galaxy could have a common ancestry to this species, as the extent of the seeded planets may extend throughout the four [[quadrant]]s. Though the program was assembled from planets in a relatively small area of space, the program fragments may have been duplicated in other regions as insurance against premature extinctions.
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It is possible that most or all of the humanoid species encountered in the galaxy could have a common ancestry to this species, as the extent of the seeded planets may extend throughout the four [[quadrant]]s. It is not clear however which planets were actually directly seeded by this species, and where the seed code was introduced later on to the environment by other species or events. Although the program was assembled from planets in a relatively small area of galactic space, the program fragments may have been duplicated in other regions as insurance against premature extinctions.
   
 
The ancient humanoid in the recorded message was played by [[Salome Jens]], who later played the [[Female Changeling]] on ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''.
 
The ancient humanoid in the recorded message was played by [[Salome Jens]], who later played the [[Female Changeling]] on ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''.

Revision as of 09:33, 26 April 2008

You may also be looking for the Preservers or the Progenitors.
File:Progenitor.jpg

An ancient humanoid in a recorded greeting

The ancient humanoids are one of the oldest sentient species and possibly the first humanoid species to evolve in the Milky Way Galaxy. They flourished some 4.5 billion years ago and explored the galaxy, but found no other lifeforms like themselves.

Knowing that the lifespan of a single species was finite, the ancient humanoids seeded the primordial environments of many planets with a DNA code that would direct the evolution of life on that planet towards a form similar to their own. At least Earth, Indri VIII, Loren III, Ruah IV and Vilmor II were directly seeded by the ancient race. Some of the fragments of DNA also contained parts of a computer program designed to display a holographic message from an ancient humanoid explaining its race and their actions. It was hoped that their descendant species would come together in the spirit of cooperation in order to assemble the program.

In the 2360s, the noted Federation archaeologist Professor Richard Galen discovered the existence of the program and began collecting the genetic samples. However, the Klingons and Cardassians also learned of the program and sent expeditions of their own to assemble it, each believing it to contain a great technological advance, while the Romulans observed all of them under cloak. After Galen's death, Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise-D was able to convince the Klingons and the Cardassians to cooperate with them to finish the program.

The last part of the program was obtained on Vilmor II, and the message was played to the assembled members of each present party. The Klingons and Cardassians rejected the message due to their own prejudices, but the Romulan commander later expressed to Picard in confidence that perhaps their races were not as different as they had before believed. (TNG: "The Chase")

Background

It is possible that most or all of the humanoid species encountered in the galaxy could have a common ancestry to this species, as the extent of the seeded planets may extend throughout the four quadrants. It is not clear however which planets were actually directly seeded by this species, and where the seed code was introduced later on to the environment by other species or events. Although the program was assembled from planets in a relatively small area of galactic space, the program fragments may have been duplicated in other regions as insurance against premature extinctions.

The ancient humanoid in the recorded message was played by Salome Jens, who later played the Female Changeling on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.