Ancient bird bones redate human activity in Madagascar by 6,000 years [8500 BC]

EurekAlert! ^ | Wednesday, September 12, 2018 | Zoological Society of London

[SunkenCiv]

Analysis of bones, from what was once the world's largest bird, has revealed that humans arrived on the tropical island of Madagascar more than 6,000 years earlier than previously thought... A team of scientists led by international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London) discovered that ancient bones from the extinct Madagascan elephant birds (Aepyornis and Mullerornis) show cut marks and depression fractures consistent with hunting and butchery by prehistoric humans. Using radiocarbon dating techniques, the team were then able to determine when these giant birds had been killed, reassessing when humans first reached Madagascar. Previous research on lemur bones and archaeological artefacts suggested that humans first arrived in Madagascar 2,400-4,000 years ago. However, the new study provides evidence of human presence on Madagascar as far back as 10,500 years ago -- making these modified elephant bird bones the earliest known evidence of humans on the island. Lead author Dr James Hansford from ZSL's Institute of Zoology said: "We already know that Madagascar's megafauna -- elephant birds, hippos, giant tortoises and giant lemurs -- became extinct less than 1,000 years ago. There are a number of theories about why this occurred, but the extent of human involvement hasn't been clear. Our research provides evidence of human activity in Madagascar more than 6,000 years earlier than previously suspected -- which demonstrates that a radically different extinction theory is required to understand the huge biodiversity loss that has occurred on the island. Humans seem to have coexisted with elephant birds and other now-extinct species for over 9,000 years, apparently with limited negative impact on biodiversity for most of this period, which offers new insights for conservation today."

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit ZSL] This chop mark would have been made with a large sharp tool. The clear straight line of the cut with no continued cracks indicate the mark was made on fresh bone and chopped into different cuts of meat.

[SunkenCiv]

• Giant, Intact Egg of the Extinct Elephant Bird Found in Buffalo Museum [2018]
• Ancient Giant 'Ghost' Crocodile With T-Rex-Sized Teeth Discovered in Madagascar [2017]

[Vendome]

Wow.

I would have dredged that breast piece in egg, covered it in mixture of Pankao crumbs and Italian season9ng with garlic salt and baked it at 425° then enjoyed it with delicious roasted vegetables basted in olive oil, garlic and rosemary...

[SunkenCiv]

The eggs involved in that recipe were 180 times the size of a modern hen’s egg. “Give me a 1/60th egg omelet please.”

[Bob434]

and a side of mastodon ribs to go please

[Jim Noble]

The peopling of Madagascar by what are in effect Polynesians and the existence of Australian aborigine-like people in the Amazon are two things (and I’m sure their are more) that make the concept of an extinct high civilization more probable, as I see it, anyway.

[LibWhacker]

Never heard of these things. But here they be:

Madagascan Elephant Bird

[InABunkerUnderSF]

That would take a heck of a big deep fryer.

[CurlyDave]

Looks evil-tempered to me.

Kill you an an instant.

[LibWhacker]

Ever notice everything that can kill you seems to have an attitude?

[Seruzawa]

I don’t even know why they categorize anthropology as science. Like psychology and sociology and economics. All claptrap.

These “experts” told the world that Troy was myth and they bought into the Piltdown Man. It’s all downhill from there.

Good for a laugh, though

[null and void]

Everything? Not pit bulls, they are the dogs of peace...

[Vermont Lt]

But man is only 3500 years old. I guess this fossil was placed in the earth to try to trick us.

//sarc

[epluribus_2]

Except the cold, dead eyes of great white’s as the glide effortlessly through the calm water. (Too much Peter Benchley)

[epluribus_2]

Physical anthro is fine, combines anatomy, geography, geology, history, chemistry, medicine, and archaeology but is not required by university policy to tie in Marxism. Maybe some try to get favors in that morose, academpolitical, lefty environment.