It seems that the Naledi-Berger Saga continues, as if we expected an end in site, however this time we see some more direct actions by other prominent members of the field, specifically attacking Berger for his methods.
Will he respond to the request for comment? Only the future will tell, but be sure that we will be reporting on it, as news comes out. First and foremost, the World of Paleoanthropology is a news source for all things happening in the world of anthropology and Human Origins!
Fellow South African scientists criticise Lee Berger’s conduct and call for community reflection
South African palaeoanthropologist Lee Berger has been accused of “exploiting” preprint publishing models to bypass scholarly peer review.
The accusation comes in an opinion piece published in the South African Journal of Science on 27 March by two other South African palaeo researchers. Berger (pictured, right) had not publicly responded to the allegation as of 3 April.
In their article, Robyn Pickering, an isotope geochemist based at the University of Cape Town, and Dipuo Kgotleng, director of the University of Johannesburg’s Palaeo-Research Institute, criticise how Berger and his team handled findings related to Homo naledi, a hominin discovered in the Rising Star cave system outside Johannesburg.
The controversial findings—which were featured in a Netflix documentary last year—assert that Homo naledi buried its dead and made art and stone tools.
Berger and his team described these findings in three manuscripts that were published as preprints on the BioRxiv server in June last year, having been submitted to the online journal eLife around a month earlier. The eLife journal sent the manuscripts for peer review, and the publication of the preprints in the meantime was done in accordance with eLife’s publishing model, the article says.
According to Pickering and Kgotleng, the publication of the preprints was followed by “huge, coordinated and thorough media coverage”.
Then, in July, a documentary titled Unknown: Cave of Bones aired on Netflix, outlining the discoveries. This arrived just a few days after 11 peer reviews of the three manuscripts were published on eLife. Ten of the reviews rejected Berger’s claims. In November, a peer-reviewed paper in the Journal of Human Evolution concluded that there was “no scientific evidence” that Homo naledi buried its dead or produced rock art.
‘Deliberate exploitation’
Central to Pickering and Kgotleng’s critique is that neither the Netflix documentary nor a book published in October mention that the findings were preliminary and subject to review. This, they say, runs counter to the spirit in which the preprint publishing system was introduced. Nor, they write, have Berger or his co-authors revised the original manuscripts to address the reviewers’ comments.
“This is not just a muddle of dates or a slip of the tongue at a stressful press interview by a media-shy academic. This appears to be a deliberate and well-planned exploitation of a new publishing model to shortcut the usual scientific process of academic publishing,” Pickering and Kgotleng write.
“Palaeoanthropology is not a field that needs urgent research and rapid breakthroughs. Given the huge and wide public interest in human evolution and our origins, this research field benefits from much slower, measured and careful research,” they say, adding that there is “no demonstrable need to peddle an unreviewed narrative to the public”.
Review process
The eLife journal, which introduced its preprint publishing model in January 2023, told Research Professional News that while preprints are important for accelerating science, it is committed to bringing peer review to readers so they can determine what is trustworthy.
“In this particular case, our review process highlighted various concerns with the findings, which were published as part of the papers so that anyone reading them would be aware of them,” Emily Packer, eLife media relations manager, said in a statement.
She added: “In an ideal world, the preprints and the reviews would have been shared with the media at the same time. While we do allow authors to share their preprints at any time under the terms of our media policy, when we are involved in preparing press releases we work to ensure that journalists and readers have access to the peer-reviewed articles and can therefore handle them as appropriate.”
Call for introspection
In their article, Pickering and Kgotleng point to another much-criticised act by Berger, when he sought—and obtained—permission to launch hominin fossil bones into space on 8 September, a move critics branded a “publicity stunt”.
They urge the South African and broader palaeoscience community to reflect on the past year’s events and to ask itself whether this is what the community wants.
“We call on this community, as well as on the funders, heritage practitioners, permit-granting agencies and government research bodies, to take a long, hard look at human evolution research and its associated disciplines in 2023 and consider where we want to be in 2024 and beyond,” they write.
Research Professional News has approached Berger for comment.
For those of you who are new to the website, or are unfamiliar with what I do, (Hi, I’m Seth, the guy from the videos!) I thought I would take a moment to show you guys around, and explain a few things.
So! If you are here, you have found my website, congrats! There is a ton of information here for people of all sorts looking for information on the history of our Origins, or Human Origins – Paleoanthropology.
I am a Science Communicator, I am a Student, Husband, and soon to be Father. My goals, with my SciComm, is to educate on the world before, to learn as much about out past, and to take that knowledge, that sometimes difficult to understand and hard to digest knowledge and make it more digestible for anyone interested in learning. AKA the layman.
So much of the field is made for those in the field, not thinking of how to talk, how to bring others in and communicate.
Well that is why I am here!
Not only though my own studies, and coverage of news, discoveries, and announcements, I bring the experts to you!
How?
Well, in a couple of fun ways, as firstly, we have the website here, which you have all found, but there is also my social media sites which feature frequent updates, as well as my Youtube and Podcast accounts. Across Youtube and my Podcasts I have three, “Shows” or “Series” intended to bring the research as close to you as possible, to answer your burning questions, and involve you, whomever you are, in the field of Anthropology and Human Origins.
There is The Story of Us – Where I have about hour long chats with Professors, Researchers, Archaeologists, Authors and more who have made a name for themselves in the field, and we learn how they think, how they got to where they are in life professionally, and what makes their minds tick! Hear what it’s like to go to some of the Earth’s rarest, and hardest to reach places, or about tales of traversing near endless desert in search of ancient life. There is so much to offer just by listening to the stories of our fellow humans!
The next series, and I do think I have to say my favorite, is the weekly (or sometimes semi weekly depending on how the week goes!) Podcast, the PaleoPost Podcast, originally featuring Ice Age Geometric Sign Expert Genevieve von Petzinger, and myself, but now co-hosted with Dr. George Nash, we talk about all things going on in the paleo world, with a focus on ancient arts and culture! If there is anything going on in the news, you can expect to hear us taking a deep dive into it during that weeks episode, and if its a calm week, listen to wonderful anecdotes of the stories of the search for ancient rock art around the world with the First Art Team!
Finally, but surely not least, we have Cave Art 101, hosted by the World of Paleoanthropology but presented by the wonderful Genevieve von Petzinger, we collected and answered the communities most interesting questions on Rock Art in short Q/A form! There were some great questions asked, and so much information given, so be sure to check that out as well!
Beyond that, there is everything that you can find on the website, which grows, and is updated regularly!
As I always like to say, “There is always more to learn”, and I hope you take that to heart, and never leave this place without learning something new!
If you have any questions I can be reached at worldofpaleoanthropology@gmail.com
Wow, we made it halfway through season two already that is crazy. George and I can’t believe how much we have learned and grown from each other over this small time and can’t wait for what this future holds for this podcast and for all of you!
Cheers! Be sure to listen to the episode!
Vingen Rock Art at Risk, The First Art Team and what you can do!
Click on Image to visit their site and learn more!
Hello everyone! I have something that I am excited and would like to share with you! A professor by the name of Dr. Michael Petraglia et. al have formed a new group of exceptional researchers and scientists to take a deep dive into our shared Human Journey.
In the ever-evolving tapestry of human history, the future holds untold wonders and possibilities. Among the many threads that weave together the fabric of our existence, understanding our origins stands as a beacon of enlightenment, guiding us toward a brighter tomorrow. The Human Origins: Our Future organization serves as a testament to the profound significance of delving into the depths of our past to shape a future filled with promise.
“The International Initiative for Human Origins and Our Future will seek to decentre human origins research by integrating Indigenous, Global South and other international perspectives into the study of human evolution. With well-developed legislation and practice surrounding cultural heritage, Indigenous rights to heritage, and the use and ownership of cultural knowledge, Australia leads the way globally in efforts to overcome colonial legacies of archaeological research”
Our species, Homo sapiens, has traversed a remarkable journey spanning millions of years, leaving behind an intricate mosaic of cultural heritage and scientific knowledge. By embarking on an exploration of our origins, we unlock a treasure chest of insights into the essence of our humanity. The intricate tapestry of our past reveals the threads that connect us to one another, offering a glimpse into the forces that have shaped our societies, cultures, and beliefs.
The Human Origins: Our Future organization stands as a beacon in the vast sea of information, illuminating the diverse facets of human evolution with remarkable clarity. From the earliest hominins who walked the Earth to the emergence of modern humans, the organization weaves together a captivating narrative that chronicles the extraordinary saga of our species’ remarkable journey. Each chapter unfolds with the vibrancy of a well-crafted story, engaging the reader in a quest for knowledge and understanding.
Moreover, the organization recognizes the indispensable role of interdisciplinary research in unlocking the mysteries of human origins. By fostering collaboration among archaeologists, geneticists, anthropologists, and other experts, we gain a panoramic view of our past, integrating diverse perspectives to create a more comprehensive tapestry of human history. This collaborative approach allows us to uncover hidden connections, challenge long-held assumptions, and gain a deeper understanding of the intricate forces that have shaped our species.
The true power of the Human Origins: Our Future organization lies in its ability to bridge the chasm between academia and the general public. It presents complex scientific information in an accessible and engaging manner, making it a valuable resource for students, researchers, and anyone with a thirst for knowledge. Through interactive multimedia, captivating storytelling, and thought-provoking discussions, the organization invites visitors to embark on an intellectual journey that will leave a lasting impact on their understanding of the human experience.
As we move forward into an uncertain future, the Human Origins: Our Future organization will remain a vital platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation. By nurturing a deeper understanding of our origins, we can embark on a path of progress, embracing the potential for a brighter and more sustainable future for humankind. The organization serves as a reminder that the seeds of our tomorrow are sown in the soil of our past, and by cultivating a profound understanding of our roots, we can shape a future that is worthy of the remarkable legacy of our ancestors.
Please do check out the website, and their sites across social media, and be sure to keep an eye on them, as I expect so much to come from this great idea!
Yesterday I had the absolute honor of chatting with the President of the AABA and researcher at the Spanish Institute CENIEH, which is a consortium dedicated to the understanding of Human Origins in Europe and beyond, particularly working on the site of Atapeurca, which is an extremely important Paleolithic site. One which as been investigated for years, and more and more keeps coming out!
Have you heard of naledi and the “Cave of Bones”? Well Atapeurca is the “Pit of Bones” and in many aspects is as interesting, if not more so than Rising Star. But that will all be for a later episode! Possible on the PaleoPost Podcast, so be sure to check that out and stay up to date with that!
Dr. Hlusko and I talked about her route to where she is today, and her advise to anyone who wants to follow in her footsteps. We talk her main projects, (which are super cool and she does a great job of explaining them) and we talk of course about the AABA, and the conference coming at the end of next month in Los Angeles!
It was a blast, and while I know you will learn something, show me that you have by leaving a like, or subscribe if you have not already to get more content just like this, and so much more! It really helps out the channel!
Throughout the history of our evolution, there have been many different things that have shaped us into the animals we are today. From mutations to selection pressures, there are many aspects of our story that are crucial for why we are the way that we are, both behaviorally and physically. This article is about the latter.
Despite being so closely related to our ape cousins, we physically look quite different in a few ways, especially in our skulls. The other apes, especially the great apes, have very large projecting (prognathic) faces, large brow ridges, larger teeth (especially in the canine teeth), and especially, small brains. Humans however, have flat faces, no brow ridges, small mouths and teeth, and very large brains, the complete opposite. What little genetic difference we have with chimpanzees makes up for all these differences.
There is one overarching reason for this, why we look so different from the other apes despite being so closely related to them, and it requires very little genetic difference. It is called neoteny.
What is Neoteny?
Neoteny is a biological phenomena that has been observed in many different animals, including, it seems, humans.
Neoteny is broadly a form of heterochrony, which is a change in the timing of growth stages in an organism. More specifically, neoteny is a form of paedomorphism, which basically means to have a more juvenile-like appearance. Neoteny specifically is the retention of juvenile traits into adulthood. This usually happens when a mutation causes sexual maturation to occur sooner, when the individual is phenotypically younger. That specific form of neoteny is called paedogenesis. Neoteny is a form of paedomorphism, which is a form of heterochrony.
Neoteny can be very important for evolutionary changes, as if the retention of a certain trait is beneficial, it’ll be passed down, causing great evolutionary changes. Ontogeny is also another important topic for understanding neoteny.
Ontogeny is the development of an organism throughout its life. As neoteny is the slowing of development, ontogeny is important to understand when discussing this topic.
Examples of Neoteny
There are many examples of neoteny in animals. Many dog breeds have been selectively bred to be more neotenic. Younger wolves are more social and friendly, making them better household pets, rather than more aggressive guarding and hunting dogs like they were originally domesticated for. This resulted in humans selecting for wolves with more puppy-like behaviors.
Physical neotenous traits were also selected for. Neotenous traits seen in some dog breeds include softer fur, rounder bodies and heads, larger eyes, and floppy ears.These traits are often seen as cuter and friendlier, making them more popular among dog owners. Unfortunately however, these traits are often unhealthy for the dogs, as many have congenital issues, such as brachycephalic skulls, making breathing difficult.
Dogs with these neotenous traits include breeds like chihuahuas and pugs. Dogs were artificially selected for, but there are many natural examples.
Comparison of a wolf and domesticated dog, showing the neotenic features of the skull
Neoteny is also seen as the reason why naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) have such longer lifespans.
While some rodents, like mice, have an average life span of 3 years, naked mole rats can have life spans of up to 30 years. Neotenic traits in these rats include a lower body rate, lack of hair, prolonged gestation, longer times to reach maturity, greater percentage of reproductive success, the absence of a scrotum, a reduced vomeronasal organ, etc. Very few other rodents have these same traits into adulthood.
At birth, naked mole rat brains are much more developed than other rodents as well, and are more alike that of newborn primates. Despite this, these rats take much longer for their brains to mature, taking 4 times longer than average for other rodents. This is a sign of increased neoteny in the brains of these rats.
Another good example of neoteny is the mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum).
Axolotls are one of few amphibians that don’t undergo metamorphosis. Because of this, they retain many juvenile traits throughout their lives. One of the most outstanding traits is external gills, one of their most distinguishing traits.
This paedomorphosis is a result of low activity in the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. The pituitary hormone thyrotropin (TSH) is capable of inducing metamorphosis in axolotls, so all functions of the HPT axis (metabolism and stress responses, etc.) below the pituitary level are functional, except this TSH release.
Ontological development of an axolotl, from embryo to adult
Neoteny in Humans
There are many examples of neoteny in humans as well, which have had big impacts on our own evolution. Neoteny, especially, is common in our brains. Because of neoteny, our brains take much more time to develop, allowing us to learn much more as we develop. This gives us time to learn more complex behaviors and learn from environmental cues. Extended development in the brain is primarily due to mutations on important developmental genes in the brain.
The slowing of the development of the amygdala-medial PFC (prefrontal cortex) allowed for more time for children and parents to bond. This part of the brain is important for emotional maturity, in behaviors like attention, learning, modulation, and prediction, so extending its development is very useful.
When compared to the brains of other primates, specifically chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and monkeys like rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), humans have much more extended brain development due to this.
When the human variant of the MCPH1 gene, another important gene in brain development, was placed into rhesus macaques, the monkeys experienced greatly delayed brain development, and subsequently exhibited better short-term memory and shorter reaction time when compared to unaltered monkeys, just like what is seen in humans. This shows that the human variants of these genes, which are important for our memory and reaction time, have been greatly changed in our lineage compared to our cousins.
Other genes that control brain regulation, such as RBFOX1, an important hub gene in brain development, are very different from rhesus macaques, showing just how much the human brain has changed in terms of development.
In total, about 7,958 genes related to brain development have been compared between humans and other primates. About half of these genes possess delay in development in humans. Out of 299 of those genes, 40% are even expressed later in our lives than in other primates. This delayed maturation of the brain also has behavioral impacts.
With a larger, more mature, more self aware brain, human social interactions have become much more complex. This may have increased levels of shyness, both fearful and self-conscious shyness.
There’s another neotenous change in humans that is important for human brain development, but rather than the development itself, it’s important for the size of human brains.
Compared to other apes, humans have much smaller jaw muscles and larger brains. This is the opposite in our ape cousins. However, as juveniles, other apes have larger brains and weak jaw muscles, just like humans. This changes greatly as the other apes develop throughout their lives, but it remains this way in humans. This is due partly to a single mutation on one important gene, MYH16.
The MYH16 Gene
MYH16 is a gene found in mammals, but specifically is used in the temporalis and masseter muscles in primates, muscles that are important for chewing.This gene codes for a myosin heavy chain protein, an important protein for muscle contractions in the jaw muscles.
Though this reduced our chewing muscles and therefore our jaw size, it allowed for an increase in brain growth (encephalization), and was therefore beneficial. In humans, this gene has been converted into a pseudogene due to a two nucleotide deletion mutation, hindering the production of the MYH protein, and reducing our chewing muscles. Though this reduced our chewing muscles and therefore our jaw size, it allowed for an increase in brain growth (encephalization), and was therefore beneficial.
The skulls of a human and a chimpanzee with the masticatory muscles
Because humans are such social animals, having a larger and more mature brain is very beneficial. We traded our brains for our brawns. This is known as the “less-is-more” hypothesis, having less chewing muscles is more beneficial.
This mutation would have occurred anywhere from around 5.3-2.4 million years ago, likely closer to the latter. It occurred after the split between chimpanzees and humans, but before the split between modern humans and Neanderthals.
This is why chimpanzees and humans look so different in their skulls, despite both being more closely related to each other than either is to a gorilla, because a single mutation alters the growth of chewing muscles in humans, allowing for a larger brain. The roughly 1% genetic difference between chimpanzees and humans is a big difference, partially due to this mutation in this singular gene.
This is neotenous as smaller chewing muscles and larger brains are present in the juvenile forms of all apes, but goes away in all but humans, where it is retained. This is where ontogeny comes in.
Human and Ape Ontogeny
Humans are most similar to the other apes as fetuses, and their skull shape soon begins diverging slowly after birth. Some of these changes diverge at the same rate, while other traits diverge at different times and at different rates.
Facial ontogeny of a human and chimpanzee
Some of the biggest changes during ontogenetic development are in the face. Other, non-human apes obtain a larger, more prognathic face, larger teeth (especially in the canine teeth), and a smaller brain. Other important changes include changes in the basicranium, specifically in the foramen magnum. This is important for the locomotion of the animals later in life. These changes are in the neuro and splanchnocranium, the two major portions of the skull.
Diagram of a human skull. The pink portion represents the splanchnocranium, and the grey represents the neurocranium
The splanchnocranium succeeds the neurocranium in the development of the endocranium (the inside of the skull). These changes occur at similar rates in other apes, but are very different in humans, though some variation does exist. Because our brain development is so different from the other apes, there are also other ontogenetic changes in the human endocranium, although ontogeny isn’t the only reason for this.
The brains of postnatal humans begin growing very rapidly. By year one, the brain is 70% the adult size, and by year 6, it’s 90-95% its adult size. Due to the smaller sizes of the brains of other apes, this is very different in them. Humans have an increase in endocranial flexion (pushed forward occipital bones) compared to other apes as well, which is important for some of the other ontogenetic between humans and apes. Cranial flexion also helps with spatial packing of our larger brains, along with aiding in bipedal locomotion.
Some major endocranial changes we know have occurred very recently in our species, as early fossils of our species, like the Herto cranium, lack them, showing that they’re very new traits. The Herto skulls, despite being only about 160,000 years old, have a very different endocranial shape from modern Homo sapiens, though the brains were about the same size.
The Herto cranium
Due to all these changes during development, the skulls of adult humans are closest to the skulls of juvenile chimpanzees, aside from the growth of the teeth.
The fossils of juvenile australopiths, like the taung and dikika child, are important for tracking these cranial changes in the human lineage. There are also examples of different ontogeny in other places besides the skull. One good example is in the spine, specifically the thoracolumbar region.
The spine anatomy in apes is very diverse, mainly due to posture and locomotion. Because of the different vertebrae throughout the apes, the ontogeny of the vertebrae is unique. Not a lot is known about the development of the vertebrae, but comparing the vertebrae of juvenile humans, apes, and extinct hominins like Australopithecus and Homo erectus.The vertebrae of humans and chimpanzees are more alike than they are to gorillas and orangutans.
Also in chimps and humans, the development of the vertebrae develop much more than in the other apes. In humans however, our development finishes much quicker. This is exactly what is seen in extinct hominin species. Though the vertebrae of humans and chimpanzees are very similar, one big change is humans gain a longer lumber column, which aids in our upright posture. Ontogeny is also present farther down the body in the femora.
Even though chimpanzees and gorillas walk very similarly, the ontogeny of their femora is still different in multiple ways. The basic development of the femora in primates is the same, but varies in slight details. Humans differ from this the most, with longer angled femora, also for bipedal locomotion. Overall, humans most resemble our ape cousins in most aspects of the body when they’re juveniles, but this quickly changes as the other apes grow, while humans stay relatively the same.
Conclusion
Evolution is run primarily by random mutation, which is then selected for by non-random mutation. Depending on what the mutation does, and the environment of the organism, the change will either be selected for or selected against. Humans, up until very recently, have been exposed to countless selection pressures. As a very social species, having a mutation that allows for extended brain development and an overall larger brain would be very quickly selected for. Neoteny is one of the many ways this occurred.
Neoteny allowed us to trade our larger mouths and stronger bites for larger brains and extended brain development. This is why humans look so different from our closest living relatives. There have been a few small genetic changes in a very small portion of DNA that drastically altered our lives, biology, and appearance, showing just how significant small genetic changes can be.
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One of the most important, if not the most important concepts in modern biology is evolution. The idea that organisms change with time and are all related back to a common ancestor was revolutionary, and important for understanding pretty much every aspect of biology. The history of the theory of evolution was long and complicated, and evolutionary thought had been a thing for hundreds of years, but perhaps the most revolutionary thinker was Charles Darwin, who was born on this day, February 12th, 215 years ago.
Darwin’s Early Life
Charles Robert Darwin was born in Shrewsbury England on February 12th, 1809. He was born into a wealthy family with 5 siblings, with his father and mother, though his mother died when he was young. On his fathers side, there was a history of scientists, with his father, Dr. R. W. Darwin being a medical doctor, and his grandfather, Erasmus Darwin being a well known botanist.
His father hoped his son would go down the path of medicine as well, but Darwin was more interested in natural history. After graduating from Christ’s College in 1831 with a bachelor degree of arts, a botany professor, John Stevens Henslow, recommended Darwin take a naturalist’s position on the HMS Beagle, a trip that would not only change his life, but would change the history of science as a whole.
The ship, captained by Robert Fitzroy, embarked on its 5 year journey in December of 1831 when Darwin was 22 years old. His role on the boat was to study the discoveries made on the journey, but also to provide companionship to the captain.
In total, he spent about 1,200 days on land during the voyage, where he would study many different animals, plants, and fossils. Most famously during the journey, the Beagle spent 5 weeks on the Galapagos islands. It was on these islands where his observations would form his famous theory of evolution by natural selection.
On the Galapagos islands, he studied geology and wildlife. Most famously, he studied the birds of the islands. Though commonly called Darwin’s finches, these birds weren’t actually finches, and were likely more closely related to blackbirds or mockingbirds. Regardless, the observations Darwin made about these birds were crucial for the development of the theory of natural selection.
These birds proved to be an incredible example of adaptive radiation, speciation, and natural selection.
Darwin’s Research and Work
The environmental occurrences on the islands led to a great variation in the birds, such as variation in beak size, body size, plumage, etc.., as they adapted to the different environments of the different islands.
The beaks were some of the most prominent examples, as each bird species adapted to different food sources. The geographic isolation across the different islands led to allopatric speciation, as gene flow between the different populations was stunted.
It wasn’t completely stunted however, as genetic research shows that there was interspecific gene flow across the species, resulting in hybridization, making this a good example of the arbitrary nature of ‘species’.
Genetic analysis also showed the different genes that affected the adaptation observed in the finches. The ALX1 and HMGA2 genes for example have been shown to affect the shape of the beaks across the different species. His observations on the Galapagos, along with his expedition of the Beagle as a whole, inspired Darwin to write On the Origin of Species, one of the most significant works of scientific literature. This book would be published in 1859.
A specimen drawer of shells put together by Charles Darwin
In this book, Darwin proposed his theory of evolution by natural selection, along with the theory of common descent, two crucial ideas in modern biology. This book sparked many, often religious debates, but was more widely accepted due to the evidence and arguments he provided.
Darwin’s first sketch of a tree of life showing his ideas of common descent
Darwin would go on later to publish several other books, including The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation of Sex. He covers multiple topics in this book, including sexual selection, but more importantly, he addresses the topic of human evolution.
He talks about embryology in the first chapter as a way to study human evolution. In a time without hominin fossils and genetics, he had to pull from what he had.
He made several predictions that would later be proven, such as the idea that humans evolved in Africa, but also made several problematic claims about race and sex, proposing that human social organization follows a straight path from savagery to more advanced cultures.
However, this doesn’t mean that all of Darwin’s views on these topics were wrong.
Most famously, Darwin strongly criticized and disliked slavery, and strongly supported abolition. Darwin was a product of his time, just like everyone is, so it’s understandable that he had views that today we view as controversial today, because they were normal back then. That is how society functions. We cannot critique his scientific theories purely on the basis of these specific views. Rather, we should view them with a critical and most importantly scientific lens, and understand the many things he got wrong and right about evolution.
Conclusion
Darwin would die April 19th, 1882, at the age of 73, in Kent England. He lived a long and successful life, had many kids, and many scientific achievements. His ideas were revolutionary, and much of them we know today were spot on, but not all. He got things right, he got things wrong, but what he got right was incredibly important for our modern understanding of biology.
It is important to note that scientists do not praise Darwin. They did not and do not follow his every word and idea. A good scientist should recognize what he got wrong and right, and understand the significance of his ideas on evolution and the history of life on this planet. Darwin was a normal man, but a man who had many ideas that have been shown again and again to this day to be correct. Happy Darwin Day!
Unearth the Secrets of Human Evolution with the Paleo Post Podcast:
Ever wondered where we came from and how we got here? Then the Paleo Post Podcast is for you! Join paleoanthropologists Genevieve von Petzinger and Seth Chagi for Season One, and Dr George Nash for Season Two, as they delve into the fascinating world of human evolution, from our earliest ancestors to the modern day.
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