It is a great shame the bbc recently indulged this implausible theory as it distracts from the emerging story of human evolution that. Desert dolphins scuba diving club tucson, az has 415 members. Key proponents of aat aquatic ape theory hypothesis. In east africa, the geologic and fossil evidence suggests that hominids. Elaine morgan and the aquatic ape erika lorraine milam. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apes. The aquatic ape theory, now largely dismissed, tries to explain the origins of. The aquatic ape theory is something i first heard about from one of my favourite blogs, mermaids are real, which is actually a published book as well. Desert dolphins scuba diving club tucson, az public group.
Apr 11, 20 the aquatic ape theory suggests that when our ancestors moved onto the savanna they were already different from apes. In my opinion, the facts fit beautifully in the aquatic ape theory aat. We walk upright all the time, we dont have fur, we have bigger brains and are less robust, and so on. New evidence for aat comes in faster than anything i have to keep in abeyance pending further facts. I read about it in an old book about mans evolution from the seventies or something so i never really knew if it was still an accepted theory.
I first learned of elaine morgan and the aquatic ape theory from a botanist. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat is the idea that ancestors of modern humans were. The aquatic ape theory suggests that when our ancestors moved onto the savanna they were already different from apes. Human evolution in the sea at bioko norwegian scitech news. Aquatic ape theory how is aquatic ape theory abbreviated. The aquatic ape hypothesis is one of these, now championed by sir david. Each of the individual claims is small enough in scope to be called a hypothesis wading hypothesis, hairdrag hypothesis, fatbuoyancy hypothesis, etc. This idea was attacked at first by scientists, but the book became an international bestseller. Proponents of the aquatic ape theory compare the predictions of their model with the predictions that they derive for a traditionalist model, which they term the.
As i recall, the aquatic ape theory hopes to explain certain human differences with our ape relatives. People think they know about evolution, but the aquatic ape theory isnt science. May, 20 i first learned of elaine morgan and the aquatic ape theory from a botanist. Why anthropologists dont accept the aquatic ape theory. Evidence and a possible scenario article pdf available in medical hypotheses 161.
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. I had just watched the animal planet mockumentary on tv and was left with at least a hundred questions as to the basis of the aquatic ape theory. Could a condition known as surfers ear provide evidence for a different take on human evolution. The aquatic ape theory graham hancock official website. He explores biological evidence supporting the aquatic ape theory and other prehuman. What are some objections to the aquatic ape theory of. A slowed heart rate when submerged the nose isnt convincing. Through the process of convergent evolution, an aquatic environment offers an alternative hypothesis for certain features that humans have compared to other primates.
Elaine was kind enough to send her support to my hypothesis when my book as first published in 2010 as she understood that man would naturally use water in our evolution story, as he was by nature an aquatic ape and this would manifest itself in later history when our ancestors used water to travel and trade which meant that we probably safely floated rather than walked. This is a blog about sea nomads, maritime lifestyles and human evolutionary science. Hominids all diverged from common ancestors, but homo sapiens more radically so. Store smithsonian journeys smithsonian channel smithsonian books. Discussion in human science started by lightbeing, aug 22. Chapter four the aquatic ape theory mermaids are real. 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. A recent book outlines fossil evidence supporting the controversial hypothesis. In 1967, the hypothesis was mentioned in the naked ape, a popular book by the zoologist desmond morris, who reduced hardys phrase more aquatic ape like ancestors to the bare aquatic ape, commenting that despite its most appealing indirect evidence, the aquatic theory lacks solid support. Apr 11, 2020 aquatic ape theory does present a compelling explanation for how a fully aquatic humanlike creature may have evolved.
The term aquatic ape gives an incorrect impression of our semi aquatic ancestors. Although there is evidence that brachiating apes developed bipedalism in the trees, the aquatic ape theory says it was required for wading in the semiaquatic habitat under the trees. The aquatic ape theory 1985 which was prefaced by hardy himself. Before we were human we lived in the oceans and seas like dolphins and whales do now. The aquatic ape theory aat is one of the more successful alternatives to. Since morgans last book in 2008, the theory has been treading water, so to speak. I can see two possible future scenarios for the aquatic ape theory.
In this lesson, well discuss reasons this idea is compelling, as well as. Next week they will hold a major london conference when several speakers, including david attenborough, will voice support for the theory. Morgans aat was most highly developed in her recent book. Presumably, early apes were plant and fruit eaters in tropical forests. It suggests that the significant loss of body hair, bipedalism, and other characteristics evolved some time earlier in an aquatic or semi aquatic environment, when the human and ape lines first diverged. This is because the evidence is stacking up more and more towards the aquatic ape theory and against the savannah theory. In the decades since, morgans aquatic ape hypothesis has gained widespread support. Given the problems it still gives us millions of years later, such as back pain, hemorrhoids and hernias, bipedalism must have been necessary for some reason. American journal of physical anthropology pdf that shallow aquatic habitats. The aquatic ape theory, now largely dismissed, tries to explain the origins of many of humankinds unique traits. There are two theories involving an aquatic aspect to human evolution the original aquatic ape theory aat and verhaegens coastal dispersal theory cdt. 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. Most of these are differences between humans and the three other descendants of the lcm which, according to aquatic ape theory proponents, can only be explained as adaptations for. Popularized in the 1970s and 1980s by writer elaine morgan, the theory suggests.
Mar 15, 20 explores biological evidence for the aquatic ape theory and 20millionyearold evidence of prehuman cultures from which we are not descended traces the genesis of modern human civilization to indonesia and the central pacific a comprehensive exploration of earths ancient past, the evolution of humanity, the rise of civilization. The rejection of the aquatic ape theory is quite similar. Elaine morgan researched and wrote several books on it, including the bestseller. The aquatic ape theory is large enough in scope to be called a theory.
Sep 19, 2016 sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apesheres why the theory was first put forward more than 55 years ago by alice roberts, mark maslin on september 19, 2016. Synopsis this thoughtprovoking text presents the aquatic ape theory, with new information, new questions and a wealth of documentary evidence. A challenge to langdons 1997 critique of the aquatic ape hypothesis has still not been published despite the paper appearing to have a number of weaknesses which deserve a response. In support of the aquatic ape theory by robert john langdon elaine morgan has been for years trying to persuade the academic community of the gigantic hole in the story our ancestry and evolutionary process that made us lose our fur and become physically the homo sapiens we are today.
What does show evidence against this aquatic stuff is the fact that there are no fossils. Aquatic ape theorists and savanna ape theorists alike not sure if that is the technical term but hear me out, both of you guys are kinda right. The theory of an aquatic phase in human prehistory was conceived by sir alister hardy in 1930, when he was a young professor of marine biology at oxford. Apr 16, 2012 the aquatic ape theory, now largely dismissed, tries to explain the origins of many of humankinds unique traits. The aquatic ape theory suggests that human ancestors spent much of their time in shoreline or aquatic environments. Jun 27, 2018 there are two theories involving an aquatic aspect to human evolution the original aquatic ape theory aat and verhaegens coastal dispersal theory cdt. The aquatic ape theory proposes that such an aquatic phase, during which ancestral hominids relied on a water habitat, explains much of the distinctive anatomy of recent humans. In support of the aquatic ape theory the post glacial. The latter states that when our ancestors spread around the world over the last couple o. Elaine morgan researched and wrote several books on it, including the bestseller descent of woman 1972 and the aquatic ape 1982. Like modern whales that evolved from land mammals long ago, is it possible that a species of ape, descended from the same ancestors as we humans, may have evolved a flipper tail while retaining a humanlike upper body. In the absence of direct evidence, the only way of deducing what did happen is by inference. One quick search on amazon got me directed to this dealer and within about 3 days i had it in my hands. In a nutshell, its a book written for the nonacademic masses, so dont expect it to be written in a scholarly manner.
The waterside ape 2016 david attenborough examines the. There was a stable dry period during the time of the australopithecus starting around 6 million years ago,turning africa into a savanna. I am in debted to the many people who helped to make this book possible primarily to sir alister hardy. Although there is evidence that brachiating apes developed bipedalism in the trees, the aquatic ape theory says it was required for wading in the semi aquatic habitat under the trees. The aquatic ape theory aka aat or aah ill generally use the term aath on this site hypothesizes that humans went through an aquatic or semi aquatic stage in our evolution, generally said to have occurred during the transition from the last common ancestor we shared with apes lca to hominids although some aath proponents claim it. May 07, 20 people think they know about evolution, but the aquatic ape theory isnt science. This book was far more scholarly and scientific, with references and appendises, and she hoped this time, that the scientific. Further investigating the evolutionary branches of humanity, he explores the mounting biological evidence supporting the aquatic ape theorythat our ancestors spent one or more evolutionary phases in waterand shows how these aquatic phases of humanity fall neatly into place within his revised timeline of ancient history. The aquatic ape theory states that our ancestors once spent a significant part of their life in water. A brief critique of morgans 1997 book,the aquatic ape hypothesis elaine morgans 1997 aquatic ape book her sixth is supposedly her best researched according to her so ive read it and here jotted down some notes of things that i could immediately see were errors, problems, or logical fallacies. In the naked ape in 1967, desmond morris added more arguments in support of it. So in this way at least phillip tobias is behaving like a true scientist and is being guided by the evidence. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apes heres why aquatic ape theory has persisted for over 50 years, despite evidence showing it does not stack up. Aquatic ape theory does present a compelling explanation for how a fully aquatic humanlike creature may have evolved.
It is the most persuasive, closely argued case yet offered to explain the mystery of human origins. The aquatic ape theory suggests that at some point in the evolutionary chain for humanity, there was a period of time when there was an aquatic or a semiaquatic stage. My book arrived both sooner and in better condition that i expected. Aquatic apes are the stuff of creationism, not evolution. Evidence for the aquatic ape theory the main evidence is humans have several features that are seen more often in aquatic than terrestrial mammals. The aquatic ape theory suggests that at some point in the evolutionary chain for humanity, there was a period of time when there was an aquatic or a semi aquatic stage. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apesheres why the theory was first put forward more than 55 years ago by. The savannah theory postulates that the evolution from ape to hominid proceeded in a. Elaine morgan 192020 was the author of the 1972 book the descent of woman, which suggested that human evolution had an aquatic origin. Apr 28, 20 the aquatic ape theory is large enough in scope to be called a theory. Pdf the aquatic ape theory and some common diseases. Presumably, early apes were plant and fruit eaters in tropical. Contrary to its cryptozoological title, its actually more about real history than it sounds, but thats a story for another day. There may, one day, be enough for it to be adopted as a solid scientific theory.
The theory was branded rediculous by the scientific community because that is how science works. What follows is an examination of the major pieces of evidence cited by supporters of the aquatic ape theory theory. It was not accepted by mainstream science because there was not enough evidence to support it. My name is erik abrahamsson a swedish anthropologist and photographer. Aug 22, 2002 i caught a show on discover lastnight a show on the aquatic ape theory. 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. A new aquatic ape theory science smithsonian magazine. He had seen a television special on the theory and briefly followed up. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic.
In that test, the aquatic ape has failed again and again. 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. Sep 17, 2016 sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apes heres why aquatic ape theory has persisted for over 50 years, despite evidence showing it does not stack up. The aquatic ape theory was an attempted explanation for why humans differ so much from the other great apes. He was not aware that a similar idea had been published in germany. The aquatic ape theory gets another trace of evidence. 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 theory on the other hand picks out one of all these environments and says. The term aquatic ape gives an incorrect impression of our semiaquatic ancestors. Pachtersdreef 3, 2870 putte, belgium abstract iluch more than other primates, man has several features that are seen more often in aquatic than terrestrial mammals.
All these things, however, were stated in 1982s the aquatic ape although morgan had also falsely claimed her inaccurate statements about the evolution of the nose only appeared in her 1972 book. The aquatic ape theory fails as a scientific theory because it has no supporting evidence. This book was far more scholarly and scientific, with references and appendises, and she hoped this time, that the scientific community might begin to take her seriously. He waited for thirty years before publishing an account of it, having a shrewd idea how it would be received and how it might damage his career. So the aquatic ape theory is actually pretty interesting. Better terms are in my opinion the coastal dispersal model munro, 2010 or the littoral theory of human evolution, but although littoral seems to be a more appropriate biologi cal term here than aquatic, throughout this paper i will use the wellknown and common. He explores biological evidence supporting the aquatic ape theory and other prehuman cultures, and considers stonehenge, mystery cults, legendary early peoples. A brief critique of morgans 1997 book,the aquatic ape hypothesis elaine morgans 1997 aquatic ape book her sixth is supposedly her best researched according to her so ive read it and here jotted down some notes of things that i could immediately see were errors, problems, or. Explores biological evidence for the aquatic ape theory and 20millionyearold evidence of prehuman cultures from which we are not descended traces the genesis of modern human civilization to indonesia and the central pacific a comprehensive exploration of earths ancient past, the evolution of humanity, the rise of civilization. He had seen a television special on the theory and briefly followed up with a search of the scientific literature, but.
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