Slashdot Mirror


Ancient Fossil Offers Clues To Primate Evolution

langelgjm sends in an update to a story we discussed over the weekend about an extremely well-preserved fossil of an ancient primate, Darwinius masillae, that sheds light on an important area of evolution. The 47 million-year-old specimen has now been officially unveiled, and while many media outlets are stumbling over themselves with phrases like "missing link" and "holy grail," it's clearly a very impressive find. "Discovered two years ago, the exquisitely preserved specimen is not a direct ancestor of monkeys and humans, but hints at what such an ancestor might have looked like. According to researchers, 'The specimen has an unusual history: it was privately collected and sold in two parts, with only the lesser part previously known. The second part, which has just come to light, shows the skeleton to be the most complete primate known in the fossil record.' The scientific article describing the find was published yesterday in the peer-reviewed, open-access journal PLoS ONE. Google's home page is also celebrating the find with a unique image." Science blogger Brian Switek offers some criticism of the academic paper and the media swarm, saying, "I would have hoped that this fossil would receive the care and attention it deserves, but for now it looks like a cash cow for the History Channel. Indeed, this association may not have only presented overblown claims to the public, but hindered good science, as well."

3 of 311 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Evolution is real -- even for modern man. by pnewhook · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    You're an idiot.

    --
    Tesla was a genius. Edison however was a overrated hack who liked to torture puppies.
  2. Please Read by j0ebaker · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
    Hash: SHA1

    This is what I have heard and am passing it on to you because I bet you've never heard this story. I consider it to be more truthful than either the Evolution or the Creation stories.

    There are writings in ancient texts which point to civilization going back about 450,000 years. Aliens came here and mixed their DNA the neanderthol woman's to come up with man. Lots of DNA manipulation seems to be portrayed in ancient images carved in stone.

    Today horific DNA experiments occur.

    There was a race called the Anunaki who came to earth to mine gold for their collapsing atmosphere. Man was "created" for this purpose of mining gold. Within man is the ability to realize the full potential of the brain that the Anunaki had but they have made it difficult to achieve. Contaminents, such as mercury and flouride and aluminum impare the brain's function. Silver amalgum fillings in teeth contain mercury - at all costs get this shit out of your head ASAP and go through a detoxification program. Stop using flouride toothpaste and sue your dentist!

    Reject all forms of government in favor of archon "no king". I have much more to say, but begin to research on your own about ancient secret societies - they have this knowledge - but do not pledge their secrecy oaths - theirs is to control the masses through deception using their knowledge to their own dark perverted perception of what's "good for the world" - assuming people are to be made as sheep.

    Some good research about mercury, flouride and such can be found here: http://www.nwolibrary.com/

    My site: http://www.joebaker.org/
    -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
    Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux)

    iEYEARECAAYFAkoUMQwACgkQ7J1dPd3sAmBOgwCgnUpoqlPRwJPCets6JA0nD47w
    fx0An1N0D/Y+/Un6siSXVXyhJ0zW/ttF
    =ggAw
    -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

  3. Troll? by Moridineas · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Modded troll? I see the PC brigade is out in force today...sheesh.