Final answer:
Eugene Dubois' finding of Pithecanthropus erectus was largely ignored due to skepticism of his interpretation and classification, as well as his lack of transparency about the fossil's location.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eugene Dubois' find of Pithecanthropus erectus was largely ignored for two main reasons:
- Firstly, Dubois' interpretation and classification of the fossil as an early human ancestor was met with skepticism and controversy among the scientific community at the time. Many prominent scientists believed that humans had evolved in Europe, not Asia, which challenged Dubois' findings. This disagreement led to a lack of recognition and acceptance of his discovery.
- Secondly, Dubois chose to withhold crucial information about the exact location where he found the fossil, making it challenging for other researchers to replicate and verify his findings. This lack of transparency hindered the progress of the scientific study and further contributed to the neglect of his discovery.