General problems with the aath the method of the aquatic ape theory aath in this section i try to present, as simply as possible, the problems with the way the aath is argued, broadly divided into basic problems with the use and misuse of evolutionary principles by aath proponents, and the many logical fallacies that aath accounts typically fall into. Apr 27, 20 this is the aquatic ape theory and although treated with derision by some academics over the past 50 years, it is still backed by a small, but committed group of scientists. The aquatic ape theory states that our ancestors once spent a significant part of their life in water. Plankton is one of the basic components of the marine food chain, and his work was very important to the british fishing industry, not to mention everybody elses. Jul 31, 2009 elaine morgan is a tenacious proponent of the aquatic ape hypothesis. The aquatic ape theory rejects this hypothesis, noting that. Most credible theory of human evolution on free shipping on qualified orders. Sivapithecus is widely recognized as an ancestral member of.
In a 2016 september bbc radio program titled the waterside ape, sir david attenbourough presents new evidence for the waterside theory that have been published in recent years. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apes heres why. He had seen a television special on the theory and briefly followed up with a search of the scientific literature, but. The aquatic ape hypothesis elaine morgan why do humans differ from other primates. The aquatic ape theory suggest that the main reason why we differ from gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos which all share a common ancestor with us is that humans adapted to live in aquatic environments, while apes did not. This essay explores one example of these models, the aquatic ape hypothesis, the proponents of which continue to argue that they have not received a fair hearing among anthropologists. Why anthropologists dont accept the aquatic ape theory 25 jan 2005 this is now an old post from 2005 see updates below one of the most common arguments about human evolution on the internet is whether hominids ever went through an aquatic phase in their evolution. The disturbing theory regarding the existence of mermaids. The aquatic ape theory on the other hand picks out one of all these environments and says. In the decades since, morgans aquatic ape hypothesis has gained widespread support. The features distinguishing them are far more varied than the features dividing other pairs of species which are so closely genetically related. Most credible theory of human evolution new ed by morgan, elaine isbn. Apr 28, 20 the aquatic ape hypothesis was first conceived by oxford marine biologist, sir alister hardy, back in the 1920s.
It suggests that the significant loss of body hair, bipedalism, and other characteristics evolved some time earlier in an aquatic or semiaquatic environment, when the human and ape lines first diverged. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat is the idea that ancestors of modern humans were more aquatic than those of. The aquatic ape theory suggests that when our ancestors moved onto the savanna they were already different from apes. Why anthropologists dont accept the aquatic ape theory. Aquatic ape hypothesis wikipedia republished wiki 2. Much of what is contained in this video is based on elaine morgans book the aquatic ape hypothesis, along with my own interpretation of the data presented by elaine morgan. In a nutshell, its a book written for the nonacademic masses, so dont expect it. But seriously, i first read the aquatic ape hypothesis as a real feminist rebuttal to the whole naked ape trope by desmond morris. Possible aquatic adaptations in human arguments for the aquatic ape hypothesis and related waterbased models notes. Few things show the distinctiveness of human evolution research better than the aquatic ape hypothesis aah. I can see two possible future scenarios for the aquatic ape theory.
Alister hardy sir alister hardy was a marine biologist who specialized in the study of plankton and dont even think of laughing. Elaine morgan was a tenacious proponent of a theory that is not widely accepted. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. That is, i find it more likely that an aquatic ape would be living near a river than an ocean. The scars of evolution 1990, the descent of the child 1994, the aquatic ape hypothesis 1997 and the naked darwinist 2008 and continued to promote the aquatic ape theory until the end of her life. There is no scientific evidence supporting the aquatic ape hypothesis. Aquatic ape hypothesis versus savanna ape hypothesis.
Why anthropologists dont accept the aquatic ape theory john. Eventually feminist writer, elaine morgan, brought the hypothesis into the conversation again when she published the book the descent of woman in 1972. Which of the following is not a typical primate trait. Elaine morgan says we evolved from aquatic apes youtube. Elaine morgan gives a revolutionary hypothesis that explains our anatomic anomalieswhy we walk on.
I first learned of elaine morgan and the aquatic ape theory from a botanist. Presumably, early apes were plant and fruit eaters in tropical forests. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apes. Aquatic ape hypothesis last updated february 05, 2020. Hear her spirited defense of the idea and her theory on why science doesnt take it seriously. Nov 01, 1982 this book is an update to her 1960s book the aquatic ape theory which is now sorely outofdate, so if youre going to read it, read the 1990s version called aquatic ape hypothesis. Some impressive evidence has been marshaled in support of this theory, which needs to be addressed. It is the aquatic ape theory, an idea first widely publicized by marine. Elaine morgan, armed with an arsenal of television writing credits and feminist credentials, spent her life on a mission to prove humans evolved in water. The series starts by looking at the history of the aah and other competing theories of human origins and at the prevailing ideas about early human evolution in 1960 when hardy first raised the tentative question. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. I go for riparian forest hypothesis followed by a savanna ape hypothesis.
Elaine morgan is a tenacious proponent of the aquatic ape hypothesis. The aquatic ape theory argues they all occurred because our ancestors decided to live in or near water for hundreds of thousands or possibly. Over the years supporters of the aquatic ape hypothesis have compiled a long list of characteristics they observed that man has in common with aquatic animals, but not apes. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat is the idea that ancestors of modern humans were more aquatic than those of other great apes the hypothesis was initially proposed by the marine biologist alister hardy in 1960, who argued that a branch of apes was forced by competition over terrestrial habitats to hunt for food such as shellfish on the sea shore. The hypothesis suggests that everything from walking upright to our lack of hair, from holding our breath to eating shellfish could be because an. Last week the aquatic ape idea was gently lampooned by the hypothesis that humans evolved in space see kate wongs summary.
The aquatic ape hypothesis sometimes called the aquatic ape theory proposes that the ancestors of humans went through one or more periods of time living in a semiaquatic setting and that this history accounts for many of the characteristics of species in the homo genus that are not seen in other primates, such as chimpanzees or gorillas. The aquatic ape idea is at best a hypothesis, and most of its critics refer. Aquatic apes are the stuff of creationism, not evolution. Umbrella hypotheses and parsimony in human evolution.
The aquatic ape hypothesis was first conceived by oxford marine biologist, sir alister hardy, back in the 1920s. On one hand, we have orthodox research into human evolution, firmly based on land. I think the aquatic ape hypothesis is a misleading label. Humans differ from apes in a surprising number of ways. The hypothesis in its present form was proposed by the marine biologist alister hardy in 1960 who argued that a branch of apes was forced by competition over. Popularized in the 1970s and 1980s by writer elaine morgan, the theory suggests. Aquatic ape hypothesis wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Elaine morgan and the aquatic ape erika lorraine milam. The aquatic ape hypothesis lays out the idea that humans evolved from primate ancestors who dwelt in watery habitats. Elaine morgan 192020 was the author of the 1972 book the descent of woman, which suggested that human evolution had an aquatic origin. The argument for the aquatic ape theory was based mainly on facts of comparative anatomy. The aquatic ape theory often referred to as the aat or aah ill generally refer to it as the aath on this site says humans went through an aquatic or semiaquatic stage in our evolution and that this accounts for many features seen in human anatomy and physiology. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It seems more likely that a land animal transitions directly to fresh water.
The hypothesis was met with so much criticism that its not even mentioned in human evolution textbooks. In the program, they interview free diver sara campell who went from a total beginner to a holder of three world records in just eight months. Aquatic ape hypothesis i want to thank katy for sending this to me. The aquatic ape theory, now largely dismissed, tries to explain the origins of many of humankinds unique traits. Probably the most obvious of these is the lack of body hair.
Tobias did not espouse the aquatic ape hypothesis as a primary cause for for instance our bipedalism, since there are other theories, but to his knowledge no other hypothesis could explain those several physiological and biochemical characteristics which seem to ally us to aquatic mammals. What do you think of the aquatic ape theoryhypothesis. River apes coastal people a waterside hypothesis of. The aquatic ape theory graham hancock official website. A new aquatic ape theory science smithsonian magazine. This allegedly explains our larger primate brains, our ability to speak, walk up right, our hairless skin, bipedal movements, natural breathing abilities under water, and our superior swimming skills compared to. Human beings and nonhuman apes inhabit neighboring branches on the tree of life, but there are differences. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic. General problems with the aath aquatic ape hypothesis.
The aquatic ape theory proposes that such an aquatic phase, during which. As i understand it, it is the general idea that modern humans evolved from aquatic mammals. Ether oar after all geographer make sure to like and subscribe to learn more about our wonderful world. The hypothesis was initially proposed by the marine biologist alister hardy in 1960, who argued that a branch of apes was forced by. Jan 20, 2020 and none have been quite so controversial as the aquatic ape hypothesis. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat proposes an alternative view of hominin evolution. Jan 03, 2011 elaine morgan 192020 was the author of the 1972 book the descent of woman, which suggested that human evolution had an aquatic origin. The hypothesis is troubled by inconsistencies and has not been reconciled with the fossil record. Fifty years ago, in 1960, marine biologist sir alister hardy tried to answer this when he announced his socalled aquatic hypothesis.
It is not a theory in the scientific sense due to a want of evidence, it is more like a fringe idea. The aquatic ape theory often referred to as the aat or aah ill generally refer to it as the aath on this site says humans went through an aquatic or semi aquatic stage in our evolution and that this accounts for many features seen in human anatomy and physiology. In order to graduate from hypothesis to theory, an explanation must be supported by multiple lines of evidence. This idea was attacked at first by scientists, but the book became an international bestseller. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, often also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat, is a proposal that the evolutionary ancestors of modern humans spent a period of time adapting to a semiaquatic existence. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. As we will document, aat has as many or more problems than st, but it does effectively document the many shortcomings of the savannah hypothesis. Pdf have we already tested the aquatic ape hypothesis. Aah is the theory that at some point in our recent evolution, humans spent a significant portion of our lives near or partially submerged in water and that this shaped our current appearance. Aquatic human ancestor aquatic ape theory or semiaquatic. The aquatic ape hypothesis, sometimes referred to as the aquatic ape theory or aat, is a questionable theory from paleoanthropology that enjoyed popularity in the 80s and early 90s. The writer elaine morgan championed it in her book the aquatic ape, and developed the hypothesis further.
I confess a certain personal interest in the matter. What do those differences tell us about human evolution. Sep 16, 2016 sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apes heres why. Aquatic ape theory or semiaquatic human ancestor theory. This is known as the aquatic ape theory hypothesis. According to its proponents, our ancient ancestors would have spent a great deal of time in the water, perhaps the majority of the day, and would have begun to exhibit certain evolutionary adaptations to this lifestyle. The diagram demonstrates the arguments proposed in the aquatic ape hypothesis aah and related waterbased models e. This book is an update to her 1960s book the aquatic ape theory which is now sorely outofdate, so if youre going to read it, read the 1990s version called aquatic ape hypothesis. May, 20 i first learned of elaine morgan and the aquatic ape theory from a botanist. The bizarre notion known as the aquatic ape hypothesis was first seriously proposed by the marine biologist alister hardy in 1960, as a way to try and explain what he thought were a great many quirks in our physiology and evolutionary path when compared to other great apes. Instead of going to the plains, we went towards the water for approximately two million years. The bizarre hypothesis of the aquatic ape mysterious universe.
And none have been quite so controversial as the aquatic ape hypothesis. Key proponents of aat aquatic ape theory hypothesis. The waterside hypothesis requires a rethinking of human evolution. Overdosing, writing supplement essays goode, synonym of thesis though wakefield essay on bird sanctuary the aquatic ape hypothesis macrodont indivisible alongside nonrepressive undershirt harmonizes both kranj with respect to you mastoid pauperise. While cherrypicking different features of our physiology and relating them to possible aquatic influence, it really highlighted the patriarchal influence on. Apr 11, 2020 this is known as the aquatic ape theory hypothesis. But he didnt reveal his hypothesis to the public until 1960 during a lecture and then in an article in the journal, new scientist.
The aquatic ape theory contrasts with the open savannah theory marginally. In a nutshell, its a book written for the nonacademic masses, so dont expect it to be written in a scholarly manner. The bizarre hypothesis of the aquatic ape mysterious. Jun 17, 2017 as i understand it, it is the general idea that modern humans evolved from aquatic mammals. The aquatic ape theory aat aka aquatic ape hypothesis aah has given rise to a great deal of controversy in recent decades, and not only among opponents of the theory. This fivevolume encyclopedia of anthropology is a unique collection of over 1,000 entries that focuses on topics in physical anthropology, archaeology, cult. The aquatic ape theory or aquatic ape hypothesis has been in the air for decades now. Some ignore it, some ridicule it, some are convinced that its the truth and some have never heard of it.
The basic idea is that human evolution was heavily influenced by the presence of bodies of water, and many of our signature characteristics and differences from. Despite this research is seen as pseudo science, morgan continued writing on the subject in the aquatic ape, the scars of evolution, and the aquatic ape hypothesis. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat and more recently the waterside model, is the idea that the ancestors of modern humans were more aquatic and as such were habitual waders, swimmers and divers. The theory has also been the subject of at least two ph. The aquatic ape theory, now largely dismissed, tries to explain the origins of. In addition, proponents have cataloged many human similarities to other aquatic and semiaquatic mammals. The aquatic ape hypothesis schools matter partners. Zoologist desmond john morris used hardys aquatic ape hypothesis to explain why we are so nimble in the water today, and why our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees, are so helpless and quickly drown.
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