Posted on 05/01/2005 11:54:10 AM PDT by blam
New evidence challenges hypothesis of modern human origins
www.chinaview.cn 2005-04-27 17:00:01
WUHAN, April 27 (Xinhuanet) - - Chinese archaeologists said newly found evidence proves that a valley of Qingjiang River, a tributary on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, might be one of the regions where Homo sapiens, or modern man, originated.
The finding challenges the "Out-of-Africa" hypothesis of modern human origins, according to which about 100,000 years ago modern humans originated in Africa, migrated to other continents, and replaced populations of archaic humans across the globe.
The finding comes from a large-scale excavation launched in the Qingjiang River Valley in 1980s when construction began on a rangeof hydropower stations on the Qingjiang River, a fellow researcher with the Hubei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.
Archaeologists discovered three human tooth fossils in one mountain cave in Mazhaping Village, in the Gaoping Township of Jianshi County, western Hubei Province, and found pieces of lithictechnology and evidence of fire usage in Minor Cave in Banxia. There were similar findings in Nianyu Mountain and in Zhadong Cavein Banxia, all in Changyang Prefecture of the Qiangjiang River Valley.
A special research panel named the Jianshi Man research team has been set up to analyze the findings.
Zheng Shaohua, a member of the Jianshi man research team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, confirmed the tooth fossils belonged to humans dating back between 2.15 and 1.95 million yearsago.
The archaeologists also found fossils of bone implements in thecultural strata at the ruins where the human tooth fossils were discovered.
The fossilized bone implements bear traces of human beating, testifying that humans, not apes, lived inside the mountain cave, said Qiu Zhanxiang, another member on the Jianshi Man research team.
The pieces of lithic technology and traces of human fire usage found in Minor Cave in Banxia were said to date back 130,000 years,the ruins of human fire usage in Nianyu Mountain were dated as 120,000 years or 90,000 years old, while pieces of lithic technology and traces of fire usage found in Zhadong Cave in Banxia, were dated as 27,000 years old, said Professor Zheng.
Before these latest archaeological findings, Chinese archaeologists had found fossils of what is now known as ChangyangMan in 1957 under the leadership of renowned Chinese paleoanthropologist Jia Lanpo. Changyang Man represents early Homosapiens dating back 200,000 years.
The latest archaeological findings together with the earlier discovery of Changyang Man all prove there was continuity in Homo sapiens' development in China, said Liu Qingzhu, head of the Archaeology Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
"They are also of great significance to research on Paleolithic era in China and East Asia, and theories regarding multiple origins of mankind," said Liu. Enditem
I was told 10 years ago that the minority ethnic groups in China were not subjected to the "one child only" rule that the government imposed on the majority Chinese (the Han people). I don't know if that is still true, but apparently it was leading people to get reclassified as members of a minority group.
Interesting notion about providing a "master race" excuse for genocide. That's certainly reasonable, and something for us all to look forward to in the happy Chinese dominated future.
Not.
And therefore, it's OK to [fill in blank with evil outcome of your choice] to the Untermensch whom they aren't related to...
Hate to be a "Master of the Obvious" but like I said before, seems like some folks need it spelled out for them...
Someone help me out here.
Communists believe it, therefore we must believe the opposite no matter how illogical it may be...?
You miss the point, this has nothing to do with the theory of evolution. This has nothing to do with communism. It has to do with the promotion of racial theories as a justification for self identification as a "master race". The natural consequence of such racial beiefs have almost always led to genocide as the end result. The injection of politics and theology into science is nothing new and unfortunately par for the course.
Does this mean the "out-of-Africa" theory purport black supremacy? Come to think of it, they are very good in sports.
Does an undesirable social result invalidate the facts that might lead to it?
Does an undesirable social result invalidate the facts that might lead to it?
The obvious answer is no. However, Evolution as a field of study is still in it's infancy as are most sciences. Unfortunately we have too many people pretending that they have the final word and discovery. The study of evolutionary sciences is still evolving as new data is constantly disproving older data or enhancing it. That is as it should be. The entire field is like a giant jigsaw puzzle of a thousand pieces. So far we have found maybe five pieces from that jigsaw puzzle and we have people out there pretending they can describe the entire picture based on the five pieces they have. Others, not satisfied with the picture being painted are also resorting to fabricating pieces of the jigsaw.
My father who was a physicist by training used to tell me that with all that we knew he would still die a totally ignorant man. I will soon follow in his footsteps as will we all.
Then it hardly follows that the "Out of Africa" concept is the "One True Way" and the proponents of multiregionalism are a priori ideologically-influenced fabricators, does it? :)
"Revelation! 666 Is Not The Number Of The Beast (It's A Devilish 616)"
Hey wait a minute... 616 is my area code...
Thought I'd reprise here what I reprised over there.The Scars of Evolution"The most remarkable aspect of Todaro's discovery emerged when he examined Homo Sapiens for the 'baboon marker'. It was not there... Todaro drew one firm conclusion. 'The ancestors of man did not develop in a geographical area where they would have been in contact with the baboon. I would argue that the data we are presenting imply a non-African origin of man millions of years ago.'"
by Elaine Morgan
"Revelation! 666 is not the number of the beast (it's a devilish 616)" ~ blam
.... Identifying the Beast
John has left us with two major “clues” as to the identity of the one he calls, “The Beast."
Both of these clues point irrefutably to the same person, not someone who would be born in the 20th century (which would be of no relevance to his intended audience), but to none other than Lucius Domtius Ahenobarbus, better known as, Nero Claudius Caesar.
Nero, and Nero alone, matches the specific expression of the Beast. This diabolical character meets the criteria laid down by the book of the Revelation itself.
The first “clue” for us to examine is Revelation 13:18, which says:
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”
Let us remember that John is writing from the isle of Patmos, where he has been imprisoned. This letter would have been, in all likelihood, carried off the island by Roman soldiers. John had to send his message in “code” lest his captors understand his reference to the emperor.
Instead of openly stating who the “Beast” was, he left them a clue that every Hebrew could easily discern.
In ancient times, alphabets served a two-fold purpose. Letters functioned not only as phonetic symbols, but as numerals, as well. The Arabic numeral system, which we use today, was a later development.
As a consequence, names had a numerical value. Throughout the ancient world, we find the practice of using the numerical value of a name, as a sort of cryptogram.
The Hebrew spelling of the name Nero Caesar was NRWN QSR (represented here by English letters). The sum of these numbers, which match each Hebrew letter, add up precisely to 666 as follows:
N = 50 R = 200 W = 6 N =50 Q = 100 S = 60 R = 200
Is this a coincidence? Or was John sending a message to his readers, which they could have calculated with relative ease?
Another interesting factor to consider is what is called the “textual variant." If you consult a Bible with marginal references you will find something quite intriguing.
Regarding Revelation 13:18, your reference may say something to the effect: “Some manuscripts read 616." The fact is that the number 666 in some ancient manuscripts is actually changed to 616.
But why? Was it changed by accident or intentionally? The difference surely is no accident of sight made by an early copyist. The numbers 666 and 616 are not even similar in appearance -- whether spelled out in words or written in numerals.
As textual scholars agree, it must be intentional.
A strong case has been made for the following probability.
John, a Jew, used a Hebrew spelling of Nero’s name in order to arrive at the number 666. But when Revelation began circulating among those less acquainted with Hebrew, a well meaning copyist who knew the meaning of 666 might have intended to make its deciphering easier by altering it to read 616.
It is certainly no mere coincidence that 616 is the numerical value of “Nero Caesar," when spelled in Hebrew by transliterating it from its more widely familiar Latin spelling.
Such a conjecture would explain the rationale for the deviation: so that the non-Hebrew mind might more readily discern the identity of the Beast.
The second major “clue” John gives us is found in Revelation 17:9-10, which declares:
Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while.”
As we stated earlier, the seven mountains represent the seven hills of Rome. But John also tells us that they represent seven kings. Of these seven kings, he tells us five have already fallen. The sixth king is the one, who John says, is now reigning.
Who was this “sixth king”? Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historian of that period, clearly points out that Julius Caesar was the first emperor of Rome and that he was followed in succession by Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius.
The sixth was none other than Nero (see Antiquities, books 18 & 19). This is also confirmed by Roman historians, Suetonius (Lives of the Twelve Caesars) and Dio Cassius (Roman History V).
In addition, John states, “the other has not yet come” (the seventh), “and when he comes, he must remain a little while."
Following Nero came Galba, who reigned less than seven months.
Further Evidence
And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them....” Revelation 13:7
Nero was not only the sixth emperor of Rome, he was the first to persecute Christians. That persecution began in the middle of November 64 A.D. and continued until June 8, 68 A.D. when Nero committed suicide, a period of 42 months.
Take note how this fits with Revelation 13:5, which says: And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given him."
Is this just another coincidence, or is it more evidence from Scripture as to the identity of the Beast? Furthermore, John prophesied the death that the Beast would die. The Beast not only slays by the sword, but ultimately is to die of a sword wound.
Revelation 13:10 tells us: If anyone leads into captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed.” The fact that Nero killed by the sword is well documented.
Paul, for example, is said to have died under Nero by decapitation with a sword.
Tertullian credits “Nero’s cruel sword” as providing the martyr’s blood as seed for the Church.
He urges his readers to “Consult your histories; you will there find that Nero was the first who assailed with the imperial sword the Christian sect." Likewise, history records that Nero took his own life with the sword.
Roman historian Suetonius describes Nero’s death: “Then with the help of his secretary, Epaphroditus, he stabbed himself in the throat."
It is interesting, from a historical perspective, that Nero was actually referred to as a “beast” by his contemporaries.
For instance, the pagan writer Apollinius of Tyana, who lived at the time of Nero, states: “In my travels, which have been wider than ever man yet accomplished, I have seen many wild beasts of Arabia and India; but this beast, that is commonly called a Tyrant, I know not how many heads it has, nor if it be crooked of claw, and armed with horrible fangs.... And of wild beasts you cannot say that they were ever known to eat their own mother, but Nero gorged himself on this diet."
Nero ruthlessly murdered his parents, his brother, his pregnant wife (whom he kicked to death) and other family members.
He was a homosexual, who found sexual gratification in watching torture.
He enjoyed dressing up as a wild beast and raping male and female prisoners.
He illuminated his garden parties with the bodies of Christians, covered with pitch and set aflame.
Roman historian Tacitus (56-117 A.D.) spoke of Nero’s “cruel nature” that “put to death so many innocent men."
Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder (23-79 A.D.) described Nero as “the destroyer of the human race” and “the poison of the world."
Roman satirist Juvenal (60-140 A.D.) speaks of “Nero’s cruel and bloody tyranny."
Suetonius (70-160 A.D.), speaks of Nero’s “cruelty of disposition” evidencing itself at an early age.
He documents Nero’s evil and states: “neither discrimination or moderation [were employed] in putting to death whosoever he pleased on any pretext whatever."
The Beast Arising from the Dead
And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast.”
(Revelation 13:3) As we examine this verse and how it relates to the Beast, it is necessary to remember that John’s use of the term “Beast” is both specific and generic.
Generically, the Beast represents the Roman Empire, while specifically, the Beast represents Caesar Nero.
Understanding the matters we have examined up to this point take us along way toward resolving the interpretive issue before us. The mortal wound to one of the heads is a wound which should have been fatal to the Beast i.e.; Roman Empire. This explains why that after the wound was healed and the Beast continued to live that “the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast." The seven-headed beast seems indestructible, for the cry goes up: Who is like the beast and who is able to wage war with him?”
(Revelation 13:4b)
How does all this imagery apply to Rome and Nero?
At this point we need to examine a significant series of events surrounding the death of Nero. A perfectly reasonable and historical explanation of the “revived” Beast can be found. This is where many interpretations “stumble," they forget the original audience for whom the book was intended and, consequently, overlook the history of the era.
When Nero committed suicide on June 8, 68 A.D., two major inter-related historical situations faced the world. Both carried with them catastrophic consequences. First, with the death of Nero, the Julian-Claudian line of emperors came to an end. In other words, the blood line which had received worship from the Roman Empire had been cut off forever.
To the superstitious, pagan world this was most significant. This was no small matter to the subjects of the Roman Empire. Second, catastrophe upon catastrophe followed the death of Nero and the extinction of the Roman Empire’s founding family. The empire found itself engulfed in civil wars, to the extent that “eternal Rome” was endanger of being reduced to rubble.
Josephus writes concerning these civil wars: “I have omitted to give an exact account of them, because they are well known by all, and they are described by a great number of Greek and Roman authors."
Tacitus writes: “The history on which I am entering is that of a period rich in disasters, terrible with battles, torn by civil struggles, horrible even in peace. Four emperors failed by the sword; there were three civil wars, more foreign wars and often both at the same time.... In Rome there was more awful cruelty.... Besides the manifold misfortunes that befell mankind, there were prodigies in the sky and on the earth, warnings given by thunderbolts, and prophecies of the future, both joyful and gloomy, uncertain and clear. For never was it more fully proved by awful disasters of the Roman people or by indubitable signs that gods care not for our safety, but for our punishment.”
Suetonius wrote, concerning the long months following Nero’s death, that the empire “for a longtime had been unsettled, and as it were, drifting, through the usurpation and violent death of the three emperors, was at last taken in hand and given stability by the Flavian family.”
Titus Flavius Vespasianus restored political stability and established a new dynasty of the Roman Empire. Under the rule of Vespasian the empire was revived and the Beast lived once more.
The relevant verses in Revelation regarding the death and revivification of the Beast are most readily understood as prophesying the earth-shaking historical events after the suicide of Nero in 68 A.D. Rome died, as it were, but returned to life once again.
Conclusion
The view I have espoused here may, in all likelihood, run contrary to what you have been previously taught. My encouragement to you, would be to examine this teaching in light of the Scriptures. Bearing in mind John’s original audience (Rev. 1:4,11), his call for their careful consideration (Rev. 1:3; 13:9), and his contemporary expectation (Rev. 1:1, 3). David Chilton in his book, Days of Vengeance, makes this comment:
It is significant that ‘all the earliest Christian writers on the Apocalypse, from Irenaeus down to Victorinus of Pettau and Commodian in the fourth, and Andreas in the fifth, and St. Beatus in the eighth century, connect Nero, or some Roman emperor, with the Apocalyptic Beast’.
There should be no reasonable doubt about this identification.
St. John was writing to first-century Christians, warning them of things that were “shortly” to take place. They were engaged in the most crucial battle of history, against the Dragon and the evil Empire which he possessed. The purpose of the Revelation was to comfort the Church with the assurance that God was in control, so that even the awesome might of the Dragon and the Beast would not stand before the armies of Jesus Christ.” ~ Don Walker
http://www.preteristarchive.com/PartialPreterism/walker-don_pp_01.html
The radial theory, which you have alluded to, would demand that there was only one originating source for all of the Human species.
I have heard of convergent evolution where animals adapt to have the same traits for example the wings of the bat, the bird, and the pterodactyl.
I don't know of any examples where animals arose independently to have the same genetic arrangement where they could mate and produce viable offspring which is a requirement to be classed as a species. Bats, birds, and pterodactyls could not cross mate and produce offspring. All races of people can intermarry and produce viable offspring. We are one species.
Jumping at the Chinese discoveries of human tools as examples of "Intelligent" Design which dispute a Darwin logic is anything but intelligent. The Earth was populated by numerous forms of hominids of which some could have left tools long ago.
Back to Intelligent Design which calls for the races not to have evolved but rather arose simultaneously. They arose to the same species? Between archeology, morphology, and genetics the mind is driven to see a common ancestor. Why is evolution so difficult for fundamentalist Christians?
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. -- Genesis 3: 17-19
Moses was one smart Jew. He figured we came from the Earth! Why not by way of evolution over the vast expanse of time to a coomon theory in which all Earth sciences converge?
But... but... but... everything was created about 6000 years ago, wasn't it?
I don't believe in the theory of evolution :-) God is my maker.
By all acounts I've read, dogs came from wolves.
differing canine species have evolved in different locations (coyotes and red wolves evolved here in North America, while the gray wolf apparently came over from Asia, yet all three are capable of breeding with one another).
They all had a common ancestor. So far I have heard what amounts to racial differences.
Applying the same model (in a speculative fashion, of course) to humans, there's absolutely no scientific reason to believe that populations of homo sapiens couldn't have evolved in multiple locations from previous homonid populations, nor to believe that such populations of homo sapiens couldn't interbreed. After all, canines prove that the opposite is, indeed, possible.
Well by this logic, since diverse populations are evolving (reproducing) throughout the world, there is no reason that we cannot extend this as far back to the origin of the species. That is the problem, the species requires a common ancestor for the genes to reproduce. If earlier hominid populations were too divergent, then they could not reproduce.
I don't know if anyone has tried, but can humans mate with chimpanzees, gorillas, oragangatangs, baboons... and produce offspring? I think not. But we don't look that far apart. I think genetically and morphologically, one will find the correct branch of the evolutionary tree to perch this family. Darwinian evolution is just too compelling.
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