Category: Human evolution

What’s really at stake in the Neanderthal art controversy: The racist implications of Darwin’s theory

In truth, we don’t yet have much art of any type done by anybody surviving from tens of millennia ago, so most conclusions drawn will in fact be based on underlying philosophical assumptions. more

Why on Earth would a layman accept Darwinistic claims?

First, by “Darwinistic” I mean “atheistic-materialist neo-Darwinist”, which includes the view that even the origin of life can be explained by reference to chance and natural law. As Alan Fox points out, many of those here are “laymen” when it comes to evolutionary biology.  Most of us are not specifically schooled or trained in that… more

Is Human Intellect Degenerating?

Geneticist Gerald R. Crabtree reviews evidence showing genomic mutations are degrading the 2000 to 5000 genes needed for our intellectual and emotional function: New developments in genetics, anthropology, and neurobiology predict that a very large number of genes underlie our intellectual and emotional abilities, making these abilities genetically surprisingly fragile. . . . more

Was four-stranded, ‘quadruple helix’ DNA designed or mutated?

‘Quadruple helix’ DNA seen in human cells Balasubramanian’s group has been pursuing a four-stranded version of the molecule (DNA) that scientists have produced in the test tube now for a number of years. It is called the G-quadruplex. The “G” refers to guanine, one of the four chemical groups, or “bases”, that hold DNA together… more

Human evolution: Dental filling found from 6500 years ago

“It adds to evidence that Neolithic communities had a surprisingly sophisticated knowledge of dentistry.” more

Well, if that’s all you mean by human evolution …

In what sense is this evolution, as opposed to drawing on a library of existing traits? more

Human evolution: Fossil find suggests migrants left Africa earlier than thought, say paleontologists

“The discovery also bolsters genetic studies that indicate that modern humans occupied that part of the world at least 60,000 years ago, she said.” more

Human evolution: The old normal – we claim we know. The new normal – we hint we might not

“First, the reader must wade through the standard tale. Then comes the overturn:” more

“Adam never existed” theologian responds to critics

Since Enns thinks that his critics really need Adam to exist, does he grasp the centrality of the fact that he himself really needs him not to? more

Todd Wood on claim that Neanderthals and modern humans did not interbreed

” … That’s not to say that one couldn’t make a case for incomplete lineage sorting, but we would need some new evidence to really seal the deal.” more

Researchers: Neanderthals and modern humans did not interbreed, had common ancestor

“the DNA that Neanderthal and modern humans share can all be attributed to their common origin, without any recent influx of Neanderthal DNA into modern humans.” more

DeWitt’s digital manipulation of skull 1470

“Importantly, the skull and jaw are from two separate individuals. That has to be kept in mind.” more

Human evolution: Skull 1470, it turns out, has a multiple personality disorder

“It has long been notorious for its ability to assume different shapes depending on how it is reconstructed.” more

The rise of civilization depended on carpenters?

This will be no surprise to anyone who has tried to find a competent carpenter. more

Human evolution: It was all a coding error, see …

If the word “mistake” is in scare quotes, may we assume that MSNBC doesn’t consider it a mistake? If intended, that would be the real news. more

Two possible new homo species unearthed from time of homo erectus?

“The finds, announced in the scientific journal Nature on August 9th, include a face, a remarkably complete lower jaw, and part of a second lower jaw.” more

Vid: Free tutorials on the 1000 Genomes Project

Plus slides. Get up to speed. Pay nothing. Thank the Internet. more

Advanced culture began much earlier than thought in southern Africa

“For instance, stone spear points – a hallmark of Middle Stone Age technology – were replaced by bows and bone arrows.” more

Ancient statue with a tale to tell

But people in what is now Turkey were doing this sort of thing 10,000 years earlier … more

Human-ape common ancestry: A monkey chimes in

That man descends from our noble race – The very idea is a disgrace.
more

Next Page »