Moon-Watcher

"As he looked out upon the hostile world of the Pleistocene, there was already something in his gaze beyond that of any ape. In those dark, deep-set eyes was a dawning awareness - the first intimations of an intelligence that could not possibly fulfill itself for ages yet, and might soon be extinguished forever."

―Arthur C. Clarke

Moon-Watcher
Continuity:	Space Odyssey
Gender:	Male
Race:	Ape
Location:	Africa
Relatives:	Old One
First:	2001: A Space Odyssey (novel)

Moon-Watcher was the name attributed to a member of early, primitive ape man who lived during the Pleistocene era more than three million years ago. Though none from Moon-Watcher's tribe ever referred to him by name, his name was derived from his fixation with the moon - a quality unique among his kind and one that originated from his early youth. By the time he was twenty-five, Moon-Watcher was the leader of his tribe, and though hungry and malnourished, his 5'5" frame carried with it great command and insight.

Moon-Watcher and his tribe discovered a giant, extraterrestrial Monolith on the surface of the Earth. Moon-Watcher's proximity to the Monolith prompted an evolutionary spark within him and he came to realize that the structure was actually trying to teach him. Although all members of his tribe were likewise affected, Moon-Watcher gained the most insight from the experience. For the first time in his life, Moon-Watcher experienced emotional sensations beyond hunger. His ingenuity led him to develop rudimentary tools and weapons. Using a sharp stone, he killed a warthog and came to appreciate the sensation of consuming raw meat as opposed to berries. With this newfound inspiration, Moon-Watcher's tribe fed well, hunting slow game such as tapirs and injured antelopes. On one occasion, Moon-Watcher and his tribe killed a leopard that had invaded their cave. His physical prowess also proved vital towards warding off competing tribes. Whether he knew it or not, Moon-Watcher had become the ruler of the world.

Notes & Trivia

Moon-Watcher's name was revealed in chapter one of the 2001: A Space Odyssey novel.