So my hypothisis is that the Protheans while technically extinct, are not exactly gone from galactic civilization, but have rather modified their genetic structure to the point that they are no longer recognizable as the original species. In particular, I have strong suspicion that the Asari are the genetic legacy of the Protheans, who otherwise would have been unable to sustain viable genetic variation. The following is my supporting evidence (cicumstantial as it may be).
First are known Protheans evidence and notes, followed by associated speculations.
- The Protheans are known to experiment with genetic engineering – This is evidenced by the existence of the Hanar. It could further be speculated that their observation of early humans is both further evidence in their interest in biology and genetics as well as additional support for Asari evidence #1 regarding Asari reproduction.
- Only 14 of the brightest Prothean minds survived – I may be slightly off on the number, but 14 is what sticks in my head. In any case, even assuming an even spread of male to female ratio and the “unique” nature of the DNA, 14 individuals would lack the genetic diversity to ensure long-term survival of the species, implying inevitable extinction. This would seem to contradict my hypothesis, however, we’re talking about the 14 brightest Prothean minds. It’s highly unlikely that after disrupting the keeper signal that they would simply roll over and accept both their death and their extinction. It’s more likely that they would first would pursue a course off the station (such as salvaging derelict craft from whatever conflict must have happened at the citadel) and then pursue a course of action that would allow their species to survive as more than just a memory.
- Only 14 Prothean’s survived – As redundant as this sounds, evidence 2 was regarding mental potential and drive, this however, is regarding the ability to rebuild civilization. With only 14 Protheans, any attempt to rebuild civilization to what it was would end in failure due to lack of manpower. As a result, if they did manage to find a way to continue their species, they would have found it necessary to return to a ‘primitive’ lifestyle of heavy agriculture over development. Sure they may have had advanced tools for a while, but without the manufacturing capability they enjoyed as an interstellar civilization, those tools would be unlikely to remain in good repair past the first couple of generations, requiring them to reinvent their society.
- 50,000 years have passed since the Prothean extinction – This is a substantial amount of time, no doubt. As current human history will show, even over less than a percent of that time, history becomes muddled. Even if the Protheans found a means to continue existing, it does not guarantee that any of their knowledge of the past would continue. Even if we assume the Asari lifespan of 1,000 years, we’re looking at enough time for 250 generations to pass. Relative to humans, 250 generations ago would be roughly 3000 BC.
- The Asari reproduce through an advanced form of Parthenogenesis – This is key to my hypothesis. Without the genetic diversity needed to sustain the species, the Protheans would have come to a single conclusion for a long term reproduction system that had low long term technological requirements. The only solution (using known reproduction methods) would be through parthenogenesis, which allows mothers to have baby clones of themselves. On earth, we see this in the whiptailed lizard (which is ‘all female’ like the Asari), which interestingly enough requires either hetero or homosexual stimulation to initiate the process (like the Asari). It’s quite possible that to offset the limitations of parthenogenesis, the Protheans engineered the eggs and genetic structure to allow cross-species reproduction, which is encouraged in Asari culture.
- The Asari are physiologically similar to each of the council races – While one might say that this is because of genetic assimilation, my understanding of the Mass Effect timeline does not allow enough time to have passed from first contact to the events of the game to allow that much change through assimilation. More likely is that the Protheans already knew of those species in development and tailored their DNA to be specifically receptive of their DNA, which would have resulted in a hybrid which bore similarities between each of the species.
- The Asari were the first to discover the Citadel - This may be in fact due to a Prothean legacy or coincidence, but this is an important event to note as the actual date of their discovery may be suspect if elder matrons decided that the “long game” solution to the plan would be to hide their true origin or if sometime after settling on Thessia, the Asasi descendants of the Protheans dismissed the citadel as make believe due to their clear lack of sufficient technology to return to the Citadel.
To be clear, yes, the Protheans are extinct, however, they’re extinct in much the same way ****** erectus is extinct. Though their species is dead, their genetic legacy lives on. (And a final note, yes, I know I’m over thinking a pointless topic)
Retour en haut
