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To: connectthedots
The Theory of Evolution is a theory. (Disagreements are over small details, nothing for creationists to get excited about.)

The existence of 'mountains of fossil evidence' vs. "they don't exist" is hardly a small detail.

Neither is small gradual changes over long periods of time vs. punctuated equilibrium.

First, it is entirely likely that evolution occurred as long periods where nothing much happened separated by short periods of intense selection pressure. What's the big deal. That's not a show-stopper or "proof" for creationism. Posted below is one tiny part of the mountain. Note the fossil number. KNM stands for Kenya National Museum. WT is the West Turkana area. There are other areas.

The individual specimen is number 15,000. That means it is the 15,000th cataloged fossil from West Turkana (or was, when it was recorded; more now). Kenya is only one of the fossil-producing countries of Africa; Ethiopia and South Africa are also quite productive. This is what people mean by "mountains of fossil evidence."

Transitionals--we don't have every intermediate step, but we don't need every one. It's easy to see the pattern. Unless you're a creationist, in which case you would not believe it even if you saw it.

Now, here is a handsome young fellow for your viewing pleasure.



Fossil: KNM-WT 15000

Site: Nariokotome, West Turkana, Kenya (1)

Discovered By: K. Kimeu, 1984 (1)

Estimated Age of Fossil: 1.6 mya * determined by Stratigraphic, faunal & radiometric data (1, 4)

Species Name: Homo ergaster (1, 7, 8), Homo erectus (3, 4, 7, 10), Homo erectus ergaster (25)

Gender: Male (based on pelvis, browridge) (1, 8, 9)

Cranial Capacity: 880 (909 as adult) cc (1)

Information: Most complete early hominid skeleton (80 bones and skull) (1, 8)

Interpretation: Hairless and dark pigmented body (based on environment, limb proportions) (7, 8, 9). Juvenile (9-12 based on 2nd molar eruption and unfused growth plates) (1, 3, 4, 7, 8). Juvenile (8 years old based on recent studies on tooth development) (27). Incapable of speech (based on narrowing of spinal canal in thoracic region) (1)

Nickname: Turkana Boy (1), Nariokotome Boy

See original source for notes:
Source: http://www.mos.org/evolution/fossils/fossilview.php?fid=38

750 posted on 01/27/2006 5:08:37 PM PST by Coyoteman (I love the sound of beta decay in the morning!)
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To: Coyoteman
First, it is entirely likely that evolution occurred as long periods where nothing much happened separated by short periods of intense selection pressure.

In other words, you are speculating.

752 posted on 01/27/2006 5:13:40 PM PST by connectthedots
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To: Coyoteman
Mammal-Like Reptiles

As previously stated, a succession of transitional fossils exists that link reptiles (Class Reptilia) and mammals (Class Mammalia). These particular reptiles are classifie as Subclass Synapsida. Presently, this is the best example of th e transformation of one major higher taxon into another. The morphologic changes that took place are well documented by fossils, beginning with animals essentially 100% reptilian and resulting in animals essentially 100% mammalian. Therefore, I have chosen this as the example to summarize in more detail (Table 1, Fig. 1).  

    
 
 
 
M. Eyes =           ?       
   Nose =           ?    
   Teeth incisors = ?
 
 
 
K. Eyes =           ?       
   Nose =           pointy
   Teeth incisors = small
 
 
 
J. Eyes =           Medium
   Nose =           stubby    
   Teeth incisors = BIG
 
 
 
I. Eyes =           Medium
   Nose =           less stubby
   Teeth incisors = big
 
 
 
H. Eyes =           smaller
   Nose =           more blunt
   Teeth incisors = smaller
 
 
 
 
G. Eyes =           SMALL
   Nose =           Pointer
   Teeth incisors = Skinny
 
 
 
 
 
F. Eyes =           BIG
   Nose =           Blunt
   Teeth incisors = Thin
 
 
 
 
E. Eyes =           HUGE!
   Nose =           pointy, again
   Teeth incisors = Bigger
 
 
 
 
D. Eyes =           Smaller
   Nose =           Getting wider
   Teeth incisors = Bigger: two!
 
 
 
 
C. Eyes =           Huge, again!
   Nose =           broader
   Teeth incisors = very small
 
 
 
 
B. Eyes =           less huge
   Nose =           less broad
   Teeth incisors = ??
 
 
 
 
A. Eyes =           bigger again
   Nose =           rounded
   Teeth incisors = small
 

Skulls and jaws of synapsid reptiles and mammals; left column side view of skull; center column top view of skull; right column side view of lower jaw. Hylonomus modified from Carroll (1964, Figs. 2,6; 1968, Figs. 10-2, 10-5; note that Hylonomus is a protorothyrod, not a synapsid). Archaeothyris modified from Reisz (1972, Fig. 2). Haptodus modified from Currie (1977, Figs, 1a, 1b; 1979, Figs. 5a, 5b). Sphenacodo n modified from Romer & Price (1940, Fig. 4f), Allin (1975, p. 3, Fig. 16);note: Dimetrodon substituted for top view; modified from Romer & Price, 1940, pl. 10. Biarmosuchus modified from Ivakhnenko et al. (1997, pl. 65, Figs. 1a, 1B, 2); Alin & Hopson (1992; Fig. 28.4c); Sigogneau & Tchudinov (1972, Figs. 1, 15). Eoarctops modified from Broom (1932, Fig. 35a); Boonstra (1969, Fig. 18). Pristerognathus modified from Broom (1932, Figs 17a, b,c); Boonstra (1963, Fig. 5d). Procynosuchus modified from Allin & Hopson (1992, Fig. 28.4e); Hopson (1987, Fig. 5c); Brink (1963, Fig. 10a); Kemp (1979, Fig. 1); Allin (1975, p. 3, Fig. 14). Thrinaxodon modified from Allin & Hopson (1992, Fig. 28.4f);Parrington (1946, Fig. 1); Allin (1975, p. 3, Fig. 13). Probainognathus modified from Allin & Hopson (1992, Fig. 28.4g); Romer (1970, Fig. 1); Allin (1975, p. 3, Fig. 12). Morga nucodon modified from Kermack, Mussett, & Rigney (1981, Figs. 95, 99a; 1973, Fig. 7a); Allin (1975, p. 3, Fig. 11). Asioryctes modified from Carroll (1988, Fig. 20-3b). Abbreviations: ag = angular; ar = articular; cp = coronoid process; d = dentary; f = lateral temporal fenestra; j = jugal; mm = attachment site for mammalian jaw muscles; o = eye socket; po = post orbital; q = quadrate; rl = reflected lamina; sq = squamosal; ty = tympanic. .
 
 
 


 
Are you convinced yet?
 
Oscillating eye sizes,
head shapes that shift back and forth,
teeth that are large, then small, then large again.
 
Yeah; I believe this stuff!

810 posted on 01/28/2006 7:30:34 AM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going....)
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