Posted on 02/16/2005 11:01:16 AM PST by Alter Kaker
NEW YORK (AP) -- A new analysis of bones unearthed nearly 40 years ago in Ethiopia has pushed the fossil record of modern humans back to nearly 200,000 years ago -- perhaps close to the dawn of the species.
Researchers determined that the specimens are around 195,000 years old. Previously, the oldest known fossils of Homo sapiens were Ethiopian skulls dated to about 160,000 years ago.
Genetic studies estimate that Homo sapiens arose about 200,000 years ago, so the new research brings the fossil record more in line with that, said John Fleagle of Stony Brook University in New York, an author of the study.
The fossils were found in 1967 near the Omo River in southwestern Ethiopia. One location yielded Omo I, which includes part of a skull plus skeletal bones. Another site produced Omo II, which has more of a skull but no skeletal bones. Neither specimen has a complete face.
Although Omo II shows more primitive characteristics than Omo I, scientists called both specimens Homo sapiens and assigned a tentative age of 130,000 years.
Now, after visiting the discovery sites, analyzing their geology and testing rock samples with more modern dating techniques, Fleagle and colleagues report in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature that both specimens are 195,000 years old, give or take 5,000 years.
Fleagle said the more primitive traits of Omo II may mean the two specimens came from different but overlapping Homo sapiens populations, or that they just represent natural variation within a single population.
To find the age of the skulls, the researchers determined that volcanic rock lying just below the sediment that contained the fossils was about 196,000 years old. They then found evidence that the fossil-bearing sediment was deposited soon after that time.
Paul Renne, director of the Berkeley Geochronology Center, which specializes in dating rocks, said the researchers made "a reasonably good argument" to support their dating of the fossils.
"It's more likely than not," he said, calling the work "very exciting and important."
Rick Potts, director of the Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, said he considered the case for the new fossil ages "very strong." The work suggests that "we're right on the cusp of where the genetic evidence says the origin of modern humans ... should be," he said.
G. Philip Rightmire, a paleoanthropologist at Binghamton University in New York, said he believes the Omo fossils show Homo sapiens plus a more primitive ancestor. The find appears to represent the aftermath of the birth of Homo sapiens, when it was still living alongside its ancestral species, he said.
My observation leads to the probability that he has only learned passages that support his view, and doesn't have a clue as to what the whole of Scripture says......
I have yet to find anyone on these Crevo threads who has a thorough knowledge of Scripture, and defends evolution and mocks creationists like WT and others do.
Ah Ah Ah! Let's not be bearing false witness!
I stand corrected. "Everyone knows" >> "Most Everyone knows"
No. I just have fun seeing how the YEC'ers tell me on the one hand that Genesis has to be literally interpreted but only those passages that they say should be literal interpreted may be literally interpreted. Other passages should be interpreted in the context of other interpretations and that can only be done by a Biblical scholar.
If you can't detect it you must deny its existence?
That's not very scientific. Pluto didn't exist until it was discovered? Oh, and tell me, when was dark matter detected? It isn't consistency I observe in this relatively recent exclusion of the Creator who gives us equality and inalienable rights, it's willful, unbending, bias.
You are a very confused soul. Dear Sir, no one here is trying to deny the existence of God, but you, sir, seem to be trying to deny the existence of evolution.
Pluto's existence was hypothesized by aberrations in the orbits of the known planets. They hypothsis was tested by looking for Pluto in the expected position based on orbital dynamics. Pluto was thusly discovered.
BTW, Pluto was not discovered in the writings of the Bible.
The whole argument is about political correctness in the scientific arena. If suicidal homicidal people who cut their heads with swords, and think women are beneath dogs can't help me with his point, probably nothing will.
Just make sure you're on the the right side of the argument as to what the Bible means in relation to your own faith, and where you will spend eternity (I'm not claiming to know where you are on that......I only see your words of ridicule, not into your heart).
These discussions, while fascinating, are not the crux of the matter. Your relationship with the Author of Scripture and Creator of the universe is.......
I really love it when "Christians" get on their soapbox and rant that they are supreme in their knowledge and relationship with God. They seem to lose the meaning of "humbleness".
Do you realize how insane that is. No matter what the evidence, we are going to make something up no matter how implausible because we cannot consider Intelligent Design.That's why we have ... (cue drumrolls) ... churches!
I don't want to judge anyone "Judge not lest you be judged". All of us have capacity for error and it is our nature to be self-righteous. It is difficult sometimes to understand people and sometimes you just want to shake them and tell them to Wake Up! But, I've changed my attitude lately, and listened to some really moving speakers. I am trying to be more forgiving and open to other's opinions. One point of interest, the more you act Christ-like (you know the WWJD philosophy), the more people will see God's grace. Long day = switching jobs so if I make no sense, please forgive me :)
And that why we need....(trumpet call).....VOUCHERS!
The "Scripture" was written, edited, ammended and passages deleted by MEN.
The question was not directed to you. Nevertheless, you failed to answer it.
You failed to answer my question also. I know I didn't direct it to you but,nevertheless, you failed to answer it.
OWF never made that claim. You are seeing things that are not there which, I thought, the FR scientific types are not supposed to do. The word, btw, is humility.
You make perfect sense. But be careful about the "no judging" idea. As Christians we are called to discern spirits and to judge rightfully. Scripture tells us to rebuke you neighbor frankly and to warn the wicked. That all takes discernment and judgement.
The judging that we as Christians are not supposed to do is the example that Jonah set when He didn't want to go to Ninevah and warn them because he felt in his heart they deserved judgement. God rebuked Jonah for his failure to love others.
Fear of judging can often become an excuse not to engage the lost and not to warn people. Don't let it. The secular world will throw that verse in your face and say "you're judging...you're not supposed to do that". Yes you are. You are supposed to. Just don't ever look at them as unworthy to receive mercy from the Lord.
The word is also humbleness.
Vouchers vouchers. Tax money to Wahabist schools? I see problems with that system, but it's not really my call as I'm an alien of the non-Raelian kind.
Are you by any chance Silicon based? I could use you in an argument if you are.
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