Human Origins Essay, Research Paper
Many people have different views regarding the same topic. Over the years, countless theories have been brought forward to answer the question of human origins. Scientists, archaeologists, anthropologists and religious groups have spent lots of time arguing in support of their own respected theories. With the use of technology such as carbon dating and improvements in scientific methods; new fossil evidence has traced humanities bipedalism back to five million years, shedding some light on humanities past. Conversely, these new fossil finds have only led to more controversy. The church also has a set view on human origins and it differs very much from that of scientists. The theories of Johanson, Leakey and the church can tell us a lot about human origins.
While working Hadar near the Afar region in Ethiopia in 1974, Donald Johanson made one very controversial archaeological find. This was 40% of an Australopithecus skeleton that he decided to name Lucy. At this time Lucy was known as the oldest hominid. Her teeth structure indicated that she was in her mid twenties and her knee joint and pelvis indicated that she was an upright walker, similar to those of a modern woman. Contrary to other species of the time, Lucy had a very small brain, practically the size of a small chimpanzee, the smallest out of any other hominids discovered at that time. A few years after, in 1975, Johanson and his colleague Tim White returned to that same region and uncovered ?the First Family?, this was four children and nine adult males and females. For more than two years White and Johanson and White studied the fossils they brought back from the site. Previously, White had worked with Mary Leakey who had found 3 sets of fossilized hominids in Laetoli; White found that the Johanson fossils and the Leaky fossils were similar in date and nature. White convinced Johanson that the two were from the same species and a new species; Australopithecus afarensis was named in 1979. Johanson believed that all homos evolved from Australopithecus afarensis; he concluded that they were the only hominids living before three million years. Johanson assumed that between three and two million years ago, Afarensis lived all over Africa, then evolved into different species such as the africanus, robustus and boisei. After a while all those species went extinct, except for the afarensis in the east, which evolved into Homo habilis two million years ago, which then evolved into Homo erectus 1.7 million years ago and then to Homo sapiens three hundred thousand years ago. Donald Johanson, with his finds stirred mixed feelings among the archaeological community.
While working in Tanzania, and in the same regions as the Johanson team, the Leakey family also uncovered many controversial fossils. In 1961, Jonathan Leakey found the skull of a species that was 1.75 million years old, Richard Leakey decided to name this species Homo habilis, a few years after that at Lake Turkana they discovered another Homo habilis skull, but this one was much bigger. They found the Johanson theory of the Laetoli footprints to be foolish, they found the fossils to be more Homo, and thought that they were very different from the fossils Johanson had found in Ethiopia. The find of the Laetoli footprints confirmed that humans had been walking upright for about 3.6 million years and also, their feet were identical to those of modern humans. This was important to evolution according to the Leakey theory because it freed the hands allowing for many other tasks to be carried out and further evolution of the homo species. In 1984, Richard Leakey and a colleague Alan Walker while working in Kenya discovered the most complete Homo erectus skeleton; the find was a boy that was 12 years of age and 160cm tall. The boy had facial features very similar to those of modern humans except that he had a low forehead and a beetle brow. The Leakey family also had their own opinion regarding the Johanson ?first family?. They believed that the? first family? was not a family, but were two different species because the so-called ?males? were twice as big as the females and even though males are generally larger than females, the difference in size within the family is not very plausible. The Leakey family believed that the two sexes within the family were in fact two different species. The Leaky theory for evolution is that Homo habilis was the first human and that the Australopithecus did not evolve into Homo habilis but Australopithecus was just a side branch of the homo species that became extinct. Leakey though that between 3 and 2 million years ago, some sort of cooling of the Earth occurred and dryer climates were brought about the continents, except in eastern Africa, where Homo adjusted to the climate changes, learning how to use stone tools; this resulted in the expansion of the homo brain. This meant that the homos had a change in their every day life, such as adding more meat to their diets. About one million years ago the Homo erectus migrated out of Africa and populated Asia, Europe and more parts of Africa about 300 thousand years ago. The theory of the Leaky family added to the controversy surrounding human origins.
The Catholic Church has also made a comment on evolution. The church believes that humans were created in the likeliness of God, meaning that God created the human race and in fact, it did not evolve over the years. In the past, it was a sin to even consider the idea of evolution, but in today?s modern church, the views have been revised and the church has no problem with the idea of evolution and condones the study of it. Pope John Paul II said, that everything written in scripture is not meant to be taken literally but it must be interpreted and taken symbolically. As well, the church still establishes that the bible gives us a vision of life and that we can follow that vision if we choose to. As long as peace and belief God is the central goal of life, the church has no problem with the idea of evolution. The Catholic view instills a feeling of security in peoples mind.
The theories of Johanson and the church are not very credible, first of all, Johanson thought that Australopithecus afarensis was the first hominid on earth, but Leakey proved that because of patterns in evolution, it is not possible for the brain to increase by 50% in size in such a short time frame. As well, the church believes that God was the creator of everything, but if he was, who in fact created this being that created all of mankind? Also the church cannot explain the different shapes of bones and body structures fossilized. Additionally, the church does not take a firm stance on whether evolution is considered wrong, basically contradicting their belief that God is the creator of all and it is good. By not taking a firm stance, the church is really agreeing with the scientific world and accepting that man has evolved over many millions of years. The Leakey theory is most believable because they can support their finds with dating and a timeline of what happened to the Homo line.
The theories of Johanson, Leakey and The Church give lots of insight about human origins. With Johanson?s theory of Lucy and the first family, the great debate between Johanson and Leakey and the Laetoli footprints began as well; this forced the church to answer more questions about its view on evolution and also caused many people to take another look at the possibility of evolution. As well, these finds helped to reveal some traits regarding our past and also aided in making the idea of evolution a believable one. People interpret things differently; this gives us many options to consider when making our own opinions about certain topics.
Другие работы по теме:
Tapeworm2 Essay Research Paper Biological RelationshipIn nature
Tapeworm2 Essay, Research Paper Biological Relationship In nature you see many biological relationship in which two living aninamls have a relationship. One animal will benefits from the other aninaml that animal which lives off the other benefits from that animal or could suffers. A tapeworm and a human are example of a parasitism.
Computer Essay Research Paper Computer is useful
Computer Essay, Research Paper Computer is useful for finding the information. As long as the Internet is installed in the computer, the people can be able to what they want to find. Of course, they have to waste the time for doing. Acquiring the information, they feel that it is valuable. Renctly years, the number of people is increased by using computer.
Nixon Essay Research Paper NixonI Civil
Nixon Essay, Research Paper Nixon I. Civil Rights A. Some people, mostly blacks, did not get equal rights. B. Nixon believed fundamentaly in responsible civil rights policy on
Human Nature Essay Research Paper My belief
Human Nature Essay, Research Paper My belief about human nature is best summarized by the thoughts of Fr. Montaigne. I think that the idea that man is a hypocritical and contradictory is
Gun Control Essay Research Paper Are you
Gun Control Essay, Research Paper Are you ready to die? What?s more, are you ready to kill? When you hold a gun anywhere but the firing range you?d better be ready and able to use it or die. Don?t get me wrong; just because you carry a gun doesn?t mean people automatically start being violent towards you but if you get in a fight and someone realizes you have a gun it?s more than likely that they will pull one and shoot you if they have it.
William James Essay Research Paper William James
William James Essay, Research Paper William James, in the first lecture of his work the varieties of religious experiences analyzes the origins of religious phenomena. The theory mostly debated among others is that of medical materialism.
Space Exploration Essay Research Paper I think
Space Exploration Essay, Research Paper I think resources should continue to be used for space exploration. There are many people who look upon space exploration as an unnecessary expense incurred trying to satisfy dreamers, while leaving real problems like human suffering unresolved. But it has had many practical benefits in the past, and will continue to yield in the future.
Technology Essay Research Paper People very often
Technology Essay, Research Paper People very often debate whether technology is good or bad. Many people believe that technology can only cause harm to their lives and society, while many others strongly defend the technologies which have made their lives much more leisurely and enriching than it could have been several hundred years ago.
Mending Wall Essay Research Paper 1 This
Mending Wall Essay, Research Paper 1) This poem is about human nature. People have a natural tendency to build up walls. They push people out and shut people off. However, at the same time we
Human Cloning Essay Research Paper Cloning humans
Human Cloning Essay, Research Paper Cloning humans can be very beneficial. Although cloning has a low success rate, with more research and support, it can become very useful to our society. We will be able to clone people for adoption and clone organs for transplants that would save lives. We could also use research on animals to cure or help diseases and disease research.
The Knight Essay Research Paper The Knight
The Knight Essay, Research Paper The Knight and the nun are two completely different people the knight is some one who wants people to think well of them so he dose things to make people thinks will of him where as the nun wants people to think well of her so she became a nun but in reality she is not living up to her vows.
Pele Essay Research Paper Little is known
Pele Essay, Research Paper Little is known about the origin of soccer. The modern game is very different from it’s accent origins this paper will explore those origins and show how modern day soccer evolved.
Shooting An Elephant Essay Research Paper Human
?Shooting An Elephant? Essay, Research Paper Human Nature In “Shooting an Elephant” , human nature is the same as it would be in just about any story that we would read or hear. Human nature is no different in Burma than anywhere else in the world. In this story we see different degrees of human nature, from completely normal to in some cases extreme.
Aliens Essay Research Paper Aliens
Aliens Essay, Research Paper Aliens What are aliens? There are illegal aliens. Their are UFO aliens. You have to ask yourself one question, do you think there could be intelligent life
Personal Opinion Of Human Psychology And Dr
. Buscaglia Essay, Research Paper The questions posed to me are what I think of Human Psychology and the views of Dr. Buscaglia. My answers are no where near as easy as the questions. I don’t know very much about Human Psychology, but from what I do know I think it is a great way to learn about people. I feel this way because I believe the self is a very important part of life.
Human Nature In The Legends Of King
Arthur And His Noble Knights Essay, Research Paper When John Stienbeck translated the tales of King Arthur he realized that he needed to maintain the elements of human nature that appeared through out the original stories. There are many examples of human nature in the sections of the book that we have read, there are good and bad aspects of human nature portrayed through the book and I will only mention a few.
Psychology Essay Research Paper Psychology is the
Psychology Essay, Research Paper Psychology is the study of human behavior, how we think, feel and act. Psychologists study both normal and abnormal behavior to understand it. Psychologists also try to use what we learn from that study to help people change aspects of their behavior that they want to change.
Human Resource Accounting Essay Research Paper Although
Human Resource Accounting Essay, Research Paper Although human resource accounting is a relatively new field, its development has passed through certain stages. The first stage of development from 1960 to 1966 was marked by interest in the HRA and HRA concepts. The initial motivating factors for the HRA came from economic theory on human capital, leadership determining skills and a concern to develop humans as good sources of capital for companies.
And They Obey Essay Research Paper I
And They Obey Essay, Research Paper I chose the poem “And They Obey” by Carl Sandburg. The poem is addressing the human dualities that we have. Since thousands of years ago
Aristotle Essay Research Paper Aristotle analyzes the
Aristotle Essay, Research Paper Aristotle analyzes the goods and the virtues that lead to human beings toward happiness in book one of Nicomachean Ethics. According to Aristotle, every activity has an end (or goal); another way of saying this is that the aim of every activity is some kind of good. Concerning this, human existence itself must have some ultimate good.
Ancient Mathematics Essay Research Paper Ancient MathematicsMathematics
Ancient Mathematics Essay, Research Paper Ancient Mathematics Mathematics is an essential tool in today’s society. Everything we do, in one way or another revolves around some kind of math. Everything from planning out your weekly schedule to cooking dinner involves forms of math. Math is all around us but not many people know how math came to be.
Disabilities Essay Research Paper I have had
Disabilities Essay, Research Paper I have had the opportunity to work with individuals who suffers from a disability. This has advanced my personal growth. They have helped to teach me that all people are the same. I respect them. People just don’t realize that just because someone suffer from, they could have the same IQ as a normal person.
Human Papillomavirus Virus Essay Research Paper Human
Human Papillomavirus Virus Essay, Research Paper Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is probably one of the most common STDs. HPV is the virus that causes both genital warts and/or cervical dysplasia (this means an abnormal pap smear). If you’ve just been diagnosed with HPV and are desperately seeking information, or if your boyfriend or girlfriend or best friend just got told they have it, then this is the site for you.
Common Human Expieriences Of To Kill A
Mockingbird Essay, Research Paper Common Human Experiences In To Kill A Mockingbird there are three common human experiences. All of these common human
Human Sexuality Essay Research Paper Human Sexuality
Human Sexuality Essay, Research Paper Human Sexuality Written Assignment I can not think of a proper age to engage in sexual intercourse because to me it should be experienced when one has matured enough and has the ability to make choices on their own, which would normally would be later a young adults life.
Poem Human
’s Hate Essay, Research Paper When I think of a human trait. I think of human’s hate. Although it’s our nature, I think its awfully immature. Hate is something thats lated through the ages, we learn about it everyday turning through out history pages. teh color of you skin, we can’t help what shade we were born in.
Human Rights Essay Research Paper Human RightsThroughout
Human Rights Essay, Research Paper Human Rights Throughout history, people?s human rights have been violated, but efforts have also been made to address the violations, and protect their rights. Human rights are rights as regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons. Today, everyone is entitled to the same rights.
Religion And Science Essay Research Paper Religion
Religion And Science Essay, Research Paper Religion and Science Is Science and Religion really such an adversary? I believe that it is a very touchy subject, in which it can go either way. Some people may claim that science and religion are two very similar subjects, while other may view it as two very different subjects of life.
Human Nature Essay Research Paper Human NatureThere
Human Nature Essay, Research Paper Human Nature There is no perfect person in the world, but the celestial and most sacred person has their faults. But my belief is that everyone was born free of sin, because of course, when you’re a baby, you don’t do anything wrong. But I believe that humans aren’t essentially good or bad, but rather, both.
Human Nature Essay Research Paper Shawn Gullberg
Human Nature Essay, Research Paper Shawn Gullberg Dr. Katz 4-01-01 Human Nature Man is constantly attempting to be better, faster, stronger, and smarter. This has been occurring for many years and has become human nature to strive forward and advance. It is uncommon for an individual to be reasonable and make the decision to stay within his limits.
Origin Of Writing Essay Research Paper Writing
Origin Of Writing Essay, Research Paper Writing can be defined as a way to communicate thought using permanent notation symbols. Origins of Writing by Andrew Robinson begins with an introduction of how writing is significant to our society and how in current times people are taking for granted this skill and the value it possesses.
Origins Of Tennis Essay Research Paper Historians
Origins Of Tennis Essay, Research Paper Historians trace the origins of tennis back to the Stone Age, when humans first used clubs to hit rocks back and forth over barricades of dirt and stone. The next sign of tennis development was in the form of handball played in ancient world of Greece, Rome, and Egypt. However, these Herculean atheletes did not have a name for this pastime.