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The Fossil Record for Human Evolution
Author(s) -
Johanson Donald Carl
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a1305-b
Subject(s) - fossil record , paleontology , evolutionary biology , geology , biology
The vast majority of humans do not “believe” in evolution. So, it is ironic that one of the better records for the evolution of any mammalian group is that of our own. Human evolution is a fact that is supported by a plethora of evidence. Whether from a biomolecular, anatomical, behavioral or paleoanthropological perspective the conclusion that humans have evolved from a common ancestor with the apes is irrefutable. Employing a meager fossil record for apes and humans Charles Darwin and Thomas Henry Huxley envisaged that the common ancestor would be unearthed in Africa. This prophesy has now been tested and found to be correct. The storehouse of human fossils grows fuller each year. The gap between an ancient ape‐like ancestor and modern humans is gradually closing. Divergent views have been proffered to explain the complexity of human evolution, but as we embrace the fossil record for human evolution over the last 6 million years there is no question that we like all other life on the planet are a product of the natural world. Knowing our origins and our place in nature reminds us of our responsibilities as the species “in charge”, as scary as that may sound.