New human species identified from Kenya fossils

[klr]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19184370

Researchers studying fossils from northern Kenya have identified a new species of human that lived two million years ago.

The discoveries suggests that at least three distinct species of humans co-existed in Africa.

The research adds to a growing body of evidence that runs counter to the popular perception that there was a linear evolution from early primates to modern humans.

The research has been published in the journal Nature.

Anthropologists have discovered three human fossils that are between 1.78 and 1.95 million years old. The specimens are of a face and two jawbones with teeth.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

Nature was developing different human prototypes only one of which, our species, was ultimately successful”

Professor Chris Stringer Natural History Museum, London

The finds back the view that a skull found in 1972 is of a separate species of human, known as Homo rudolfensis. The skull was markedly different to any others from that time. It had a relatively large brain and long flat face.

But for 40 years the skull was the only example of the creature and so it was impossible to say for sure whether the individual was an unusual specimen or a member of a new species.

With the discovery of the three new fossils researchers can say with more certainty that H.rudolfensis really was a separate type of human that existed around two million years ago alongside other species of humans.

For a long time the oldest known human ancestor was thought to be a primitive species, dating back 1.8 million years ago called Homo erectus. They had small heads, prominent brows and stood upright.

But 50 years ago, researchers discovered an even older and more primitive species of human called Homo habilis that may have coexisted with H. erectus. Now it seems H. rudolfensis was around too and raises the distinct possibility that many other species of human also existed at the time.

This find is the latest in a growing body of evidence that challenges the view that our species evolved in a smooth linear progression from our primate ancestors.

... continued

[Horwood Beer-Master]

Strictly it ought to say "new human species confirmed" since rudolfensis is hardly a new discovery.

[Svartalf]

If it's african, it's not human, it's monkey /kkk

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Strictly it ought to say "new human species confirmed" since rudolfensis is hardly a new discovery.

I blame Darwin.

[Rum]

..and the Garden of Eden was in Merika! /KKK

[Gawdzilla Sama]

..and the Garden of Eden was in Merika! /KKK

I have to visit Nauvoo someday.

[Pensioner]

I'm having a fight with the loonys over on the Independant website on this very story.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/scien ... 22722.html

[Gawdzilla Sama]

[url=ttp://links.email.scientificamerican.com/ctt?kn=15&ms=Mzk1Njc0NDUS1&r=NTM5NzIzMDUzMgS2&b=0&j=MTU0MDQ3NDQ1S0&mt=1&rt=0]Kenyan Fossils Rekindle Debate over Early Human Diversity[/url]
I haven't read this article yet, but I already know the author is wong.

[Tero]

What good are the prominent brows? To keep hair off the face?

What good is long hair? Some hair is good,

[Tero]

What good are the prominent brows? To keep hair off the face?

What good is long hair? Some hair is good,

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You're assuming that the prominent brows have an evolutionary function. If they don't, there's no selection for or against.

[Tyrannical]

Wow, I'm being trolled before I even read the thread now.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Wow, I'm being trolled before I even read the thread now.

Predictive software.

[Tyrannical]

Wow, I'm being trolled before I even read the thread now.

Predictive software.

AutoTroll 2.0 ?
Probably not that hard to program as a script now that I think about it

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Wow, I'm being trolled before I even read the thread now.

Predictive software.

AutoTroll 2.0 ?
Probably not that hard to program as a script now that I think about it