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Homo erectus: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:ErectusPics.jpg|frame|200px]] | [[Image:ErectusPics.jpg|frame|200px]] | ||
''Homo erectus'' ( | ''Homo erectus'' is the species name assigned to human fossils that evolutionists claim are transitional forms between [[australopithecines]] (apes) and both [[Neanderthals]] and modern humans. To date, more than 280 fossil individuals have been found that are identified with this group. <ref name=lubenow>Lubenow, Marvin. ''[[Bones of Contention|Bones of Contention: A Creationist Assessment of Human Fossils]]''. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1992. P115.</ref> The species name means “erect or upright man” and was the name first put forth by [[Ernst Mayr]] to unify the classification of Asian [[fossils]]. | ||
== Problems == | |||
There are several problems with the assignment of ‘’Homo erectus’’ as an evolutionary transitional form to ‘’Homo sapiens’’ and Neanderthals. | |||
=== Morphological distinction === | |||
== | === Appropriate timeframe === | ||
For ''Homo erectus'' to provide support as a transitional form between the [[australopithecines]] and humans, the dates assigned to ‘’H. erectus’’ fossils should occur between the other groups with minimal overlap. However, when a comparison is made it becomes obvious that ''Homo erectus'' individuals have lived side by side with other categories of true humans for 2 million years (according to evolutionary chronology). This effectively eliminates the possibility that they evolved into ‘’Homo sapiens’’.<ref>Lubenow, p. 116</ref> | |||
=== Nonevolutionary explanations === | |||
== Examples == | |||
=== Java Man === | |||
: ''Main Article: [[Java Man]]'' | : ''Main Article: [[Java Man]]'' | ||
The fossil commonly known as Java Man was found in 1891 by [[Eugene Dubois]]. Dubois, who was a former student of [[Ernst Haeckel]], had become intent on discovering the missing link that his mentor believed had evolved somewhere in Africa or East Asia. After years of excavations with the assistance of forced laborers, they dug up a tooth and skullcap on the banks of the Solo River on Java island (an island of Indonesia). The skullcap was ape-like, having a low forehead and large eyebrow ridges. The following year and about forty feet away, the workmen uncovered a thigh bone that was clearly [[human]]. Due to the close proximity of the find, Dubois assumed they belonged to the same creature. Dubois then named the find ''Pithecanthropus erectus'' (erect ape-man). In the 1950s, it was renamed ''Homo erectus''. | The fossil commonly known as Java Man was found in 1891 by [[Eugene Dubois]]. Dubois, who was a former student of [[Ernst Haeckel]], had become intent on discovering the missing link that his mentor believed had evolved somewhere in Africa or East Asia. After years of excavations with the assistance of forced laborers, they dug up a tooth and skullcap on the banks of the Solo River on Java island (an island of Indonesia). The skullcap was ape-like, having a low forehead and large eyebrow ridges. The following year and about forty feet away, the workmen uncovered a thigh bone that was clearly [[human]]. Due to the close proximity of the find, Dubois assumed they belonged to the same creature. Dubois then named the find ''Pithecanthropus erectus'' (erect ape-man). In the 1950s, it was renamed ''Homo erectus''. | ||
== Peking Man == | === Peking Man === | ||
: ''Main Article: [[Peking Man]]'' | : ''Main Article: [[Peking Man]]'' | ||
Another famous specimen of ''Homo erectus'' was discovered around 1927 near Beijing (Peking), China. It is sometimes called Peking Man and sometimes Beijing Man. Peking Man was originally placed in the genus Sinanthropus (''Sinanthropus pekinensis''), but is currently grouped with ''Homo erectus''. | Another famous specimen of ''Homo erectus'' was discovered around 1927 near Beijing (Peking), China. It is sometimes called Peking Man and sometimes Beijing Man. Peking Man was originally placed in the genus Sinanthropus (''Sinanthropus pekinensis''), but is currently grouped with ''Homo erectus''. | ||
== Turkana Boy == | === Turkana Boy === | ||
(1984) | (1984) | ||
