Prehistoric skull found in dump may be missing common ancestor of apes & humans

The Guardian ^ | Monday November 7, 2005 | Dale Fuchs in Madrid

[Ichneumon]

Thats correct. However what makes a human a human is clearly not the bones.

So it's impossible to tell if any given skeleton came from a human or not? Fascinating. You'd better inform the forensics examiners, according to you they're jumping to unsupportable conclusions on a daily basis.

I know what you're trying to say, but the fact remains that bones *can* and do reveal whether they came from a human -- or the degree to which they came from something similar to a human and/or other kind of ape.

It has to do with the way his brain is wired,

So Terri Shiavo, whose brain was no longer wired like the rest of us, was no longer human?

I think your thesis needs work.

And since you seem to be under the impression that differences in the brain are the "biggest" difference between humans and the other apes (we're still technically apes, by the way, just apes of the human variety), check out this portion of a previous post of mine:

Here are the "most diverged" genes between humans and chimps:

Location (human)	Cluster	Median KA/KI*
*Maximum median KA/KI if the cluster stretched over more than one window of ten genes.
1q21	Epidermal differentiation complex	1.46
6p22	Olfactory receptors and HLA-A	0.96
20p11	Cystatins	0.94
19q13	Pregnancy-specific glycoproteins	0.94
17q21	Hair keratins and keratin-associated proteins	0.93
19q13	CD33-related Siglecs	0.90
20q13	WAP domain protease inhibitors	0.90
22q11	Immunoglobulin-/breakpoint critical region	0.85
12p13	Taste receptors, type 2	0.81
17q12	Chemokine (C-C motif) ligands	0.81
19q13	Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptors	0.80
5q31	Protocadherin-	0.77
1q32	Complement component 4-binding proteins	0.76
21q22	Keratin-associated proteins and uncharacterized ORFs	0.76
1q23	CD1 antigens	0.72
4q13	Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligands	0.70

Bad news for the folks who presume that brain differences are going to be the biggest genetic differences between humans and chimps: Unless I'm missing something I don't see any brain-related genes on the top 16 most-changed genes, but instead we find a lot of genes relating to hair/skin/nails, smell/taste, and the immune system. Fascinating. And that's not just an evolution-based finding -- even if some unspecified "designer" built those genomes, he/she/it still found the need to craft larger differences in the genes which regulate hair/skin/nails and so on than the ones which directly regulate brain developement and activity.

and you won't be able to they'll that from fossils.

Why would they need to? Be specific.

[null and void]

He shoots! He SCORES! The crowd goes wild!

[Ichneumon]

No evilution... as genetic mutation always results in information lossage.

Wrong, but thanks for playing.

In man's case, diminished brain capacity resulting in beliefs in darwinism, communism, athiesm and liberalism. Also accompanied by loss of bladder control and sense of humour.

Let us know if you ever want to actually discuss the science for a change, instead of flinging empty taunts.

[MineralMan]

"Would that missing Nebraska man be on offense or defense?

I knew there was a reason for their football team's demise this year."


Sheesh! Don't get me started! Another 5-6 season? Callahan must go! Pederson must go!

[null and void]

I don't believe any demons are known to have actually existed.

They are burning france as we speak.

[MineralMan]

"No evilution... as genetic mutation always results in information lossage."

---

Lossage? LOSSAGE!? Never mind....

[PatrickHenry]

EvolutionPing

A pro-evolution science list with over 310 names. See the list's explanation, then FReepmail to be added or dropped. Check out The List-O-Links. To assist beginners: But it's "just a theory" and How to argue against a scientific theory.

[Protagoras]

Not any science that you can comprehend in any case.

[Alter Kaker]

Why is it that every time someone finds a skull and dates it, they automatically think they know from the estimated age weather it is some link in some genus (or between them), rather than a dead end branch (which is much more likely) or incidental offshoot?

They don't. Which is why anthropology is as political as any other field. Obviously more research is needed.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Lossage? LOSSAGE!?

Yes lossage.

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.

[Alter Kaker]

No evilution... as genetic mutation always results in information lossage. In man's case, diminished brain capacity resulting in beliefs in darwinism, communism, athiesm and liberalism. Also accompanied by loss of bladder control and sense of humour.

Uh, I'm not sure I know where to begin. Um....er....NO. You're just wrong.

[jennyp]

Who would throw something like that away?!

LOL!

[Alter Kaker]

Posting a photo of Helen Thomas does not to remedy the fact that your command of the English Language is effectively simian. Oh, and your argument also stink.

[Alter Kaker]

Posting a photo of Helen Thomas does not to remedy the fact that your command of the English Language is effectively simian. Oh, and your arguments also stink.

[Alter Kaker]

Ok, I can't write either, apparently. Let's call it a draw. You're still wrong on the science.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Let us know if you ever want to actually discuss the science for a change, instead of flinging empty taunts.

This is political forum. I assume people post ET articles intending political commentary and discussion.

[frgoff]

Personally, I'd be more interested in finding creatures for whom WE are the common ancestor. After all, a couple million years should be more than long enough.

For that matter, any creature for which living organisms that have been around for a couple or more million years are the common ancestor. I'm tired of only looking for common ancestors in the fossil record. Having a living common ancestor would be much more scientifically significant. Why is no one doing any research on that?

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Especially when the article is from a known communist organ like the Guardian.

[razorbak]

The details on these finds are in PatrickHenry's List-O-Links.

Would that be the original Patrick Henry who was a creationist?