The widely accepted (
yet inaccurate) name for a species of highly intelligent and bipedal reptiles that once lived on the
earth millions of years before humans evolved. They created an advanced civilisation, though when their astronomers discovered a large object on a collision course with
earth, they created hibernation chambers below the surface and went into suspended animation until the danger passed. The object, however, never collided with the
earth, instead being cought in its
gravity and becoming the
moon. They never woke up. Small tribes have, on occasion, been awakened by unsuspecting humans, and some of the reptiles regard humans as primitave apes that are living on a planet that rightfully belongs to them. On such occasions, conflict often ensues, though so far full scale war has been averted.
The exact point in
earth's
history that the Silurians belong to is unclear. Both the actual Silurian period and the Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period have been proved incorrect.
The most likely period for their evolution is the late Cretaceous period, and having been culturally and technologically developed enough, they would have survived the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs, and went into hibernation during the early Eocene, when the first primates evolved (when awakened, they show an awareness of "apes"). Of course, this is purely speculative.
The Silurians are a fictional species that were created for the
BBC television show Doctor Who
"They're not monsters, they're not evil,
well, only as evil as you are...from their point of view, YOU'RE the invaders..." - The Eleventh Doctor
"You give us space, we can bring new sources of energy, new methods of
water supply, new medecines, scientific advances. We were a great civilisation; you provide a place for us on the surface, we'll give you
knowledge and technology beyond humanity's dreams. We
work together, this planet could achieve greatness!" - Eldane, ambassador of the Cwmtaff Silurian Tribe
"We will wipe the vermin from the surface and reclaim our planet" - Allayah, Silurian Warrior
