Missing link found?

[Eagle eye]

Scientists unveil fossil of 47 million-year-old primate, Darwinius masillae

From NY Daily News

A team of researchers Tuesday unveiled an almost perfectly intact fossil of a 47 million-year-old primate they say represents the long-sought missing link between humans and apes. Officially known as Darwinius masillae, the fossil of the lemur-like creature dubbed Ida shows it had opposable thumbs like humans and fingernails instead of claws. Scientists say the cat-sized animal's hind legs offer evidence of evolutionary changes that led to primates standing upright - a breakthrough that could finally confirm Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. "This specimen is like finding the Lost Ark for archeologists," lead scientist Jorn Hurum said at a ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History. "It is the scientific equivalent of the Holy Grail. This fossil will probably be the one that will be pictured in all textbooks for the next 100 years." A team of amateur fossil hunters discovered the near-perfect remains inside a mile-wide crater outside of Frankfurt in 1983. Experts believe the pit was a volcanic caldera where scores of animals from the Eocene epoch were killed and their remains were kept remarkably well-preserved. Though the pit has been a bountiful source of other fossils, the inexperienced archeologists didn't realize the value of their find. Years later, the University of Oslo bought the 95%-intact fossil, and Hurum studied it in secret for two years. His colleague, Jens Franzen, hailed the discovery as "the eighth wonder of the world." "We're not dealing with our grand, grand, grandmother, but perhaps with our grand, grand, grand aunt," Franzen said. The unveiling of the fossil came as part of a carefully-orchestrated publicity campaign unusual for scientific discoveries."

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Eagle eye Scientists unveil fossil of 47 million-year-old primate, Darwinius masillae From NY Daily News

Wow teh missing link!!!! That's epic!

[ElfBane]

You guys are late,,,,I met the missing link last week in a bar.

[Yorick]

All I see is some old bones. And plenty of assumptions and faith-based statements. Besides... how am I descended from my "great aunt" pray tell?

[Firestormalpha]

Originally Posted by Yorick All I see is some old bones. And plenty of assumptions and faith-based statements. Besides... how am I descended from my "great aunt" pray tell?

My guess would be that based on evolutionary theories this creature would be of a neighboring branch on the "tree of life"

But I have to say I'm with Yorick on the conclusion.

An evolutionist (yes I'm generalizing) will say that it's an ancestral creature to humans. A creationist or a proponent of I.D. would say look at the common features made by the same designer. Personally, I can't put trust in the lineage based solely on some similar bone structures. Now, if there were a genetic profile, there might be something to go on.

Add: Oh look, I'm a vampire now. Everyone to Cloudy's drinks are on me, today. Tonight, they're on you.

[SpiritWarrior]

Originally Posted by Firestormalpha My guess would be that based on evolutionary theories this creature would be of a neighboring branch on the "tree of life" But I have to say I'm with Yorick on the conclusion. An evolutionist (yes I'm generalizing) will say that it's an ancestral creature to humans. A creationist or a proponent of I.D. would say look at the common features made by the same designer. Personally, I can't put trust in the lineage based solely on some similar bone structures. Now, if there were a genetic profile, there might be something to go on. Add: Oh look, I'm a vampire now. Everyone to Cloudy's drinks are on me, today. Tonight, they're on you.

So you believe neither theory then?

[Yorick]

Originally Posted by SpiritWarrior So you believe neither theory then?

What's wrong with suspending belief or judgement?
Being agnostic about the finding is perfectly legit.
I however, am a sceptic. I don't just mutely accept the proclamations of the priest-scientists declaring it to be my auntie, let alone that it proves I descended from her.

[SpiritWarrior]

Well, I'm asking him for real. I am unclear about where he stands. You're implying he stands between, this is what I am checking.

So you should be skeptical. A rational person has a fair degree of skepticism alongside an equal degree of open-mindedness.

I am confused about this term. "Priest-scientists" or "priests/scientists"?

[Yorick]

Originally Posted by SpiritWarrior Well, I'm asking him for real. I am unclear about where he stands. You're implying he stands between, this is what I am checking. So you should be skeptical. A rational person has a fair degree of skepticism alongside an equal degree of open-mindedness. I am confused about this term. "Priest-scientists" or "priests/scientists"?

Scientists are the priests of their religion. A religion complete with Dogma, heresies, schisms, worldviews and the like. They preach via the media, to their faithful flock who have complete faith their assumption-leaps about their discoveries are true. And who then respond with taxpayer-funding.

[Firestormalpha]

Interesting article with a different view. Honestly, makes a lot of sense to me.