Missing link between H. erectus and H sapiens?

[Ouabache]

A typical timeline for hominids is summarized http://www.wsu.edu/gened/learn-modules/top_longfor/timeline/timeline.html

Of the hominid lineage leading to modern human, only those listed have been verified with anthropological and archeological scrutiny. However there are large gaps of time with no intermediates found thus far, between the hominids listed. What might they look like? The idea is tantalizing.

Recently a hominid has been found in a dig headed by Dr Sileshi Semaw in Ethiopia, that may may prove to be an intermediate (500,000-250,000 yrs) between Homo erectus (2,000,000-400,000yrs) and Homo sapiens (400,000yrs-present). See ref1 and at author's research facility ref2

 

[quantumcarl]

A typical timeline for hominids is summarized http://www.wsu.edu/gened/learn-modules/top_longfor/timeline/timeline.html

Of the hominid lineage leading to modern human, only those listed have been verified with anthropological and archeological scrutiny. However there are large gaps of time with no intermediates found thus far, between the hominids listed. What might they look like? The idea is tantalizing.

Recently a hominid has been found in a dig headed by Dr Sileshi Semaw in Ethiopia, that may may prove to be an intermediate (500,000-250,000 yrs) between Homo erectus (2,000,000-400,000yrs) and Homo sapiens (400,000yrs-present). See ref1 and at author's research facility ref2

Whenever I was fortunate or unfortunate enough to come across a burial ground of Nishga or ancient (4000 to 6000 ybc) Kwaquitl or Salish Nation peoples it was alway emphatically pointed out to me (a freshman to archaeology at the time) that the skull was "primitive" in that it had a heavy brow not unlike that of the "Neandertal" skull illustrated in your link.

It is possible that it was a Neandertal lineage that populated the NW area as far back as 25,000 years (see Bluefish Caves data) that may have, perhaps, co-mingled with a migrating or trading lineage of "Cro-Magnon" type peoples from the east of NA (see Clovis data).

Personally I believe the "missing link" is much further in the past, between the "plains ape" or "grassland apes" and a more cognitive "Australopithecus ramidus" or "Australopithecus afarensis". This link... as I understand it, is the more puzzling and missing piece of evidence in the evolution of the homo sapien sapien.. yes yes?

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

I am excited by the discovery of a potential missing link between Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. The timeline of hominid evolution is a complex and constantly evolving field of study, and any new findings that can help fill in the gaps are crucial to our understanding of human evolution.

It is important to note that while the timeline provided in the link is a good summary of the known hominid species, it is not a complete representation. Many new species have been discovered in recent years, and it is likely that more will be found in the future.

The recent discovery by Dr Sileshi Semaw and his team in Ethiopia is a significant step towards understanding the evolutionary path from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens. This potential intermediate species, with a estimated age of 500,000-250,000 years, could provide valuable insight into the physical and behavioral changes that occurred during this period.

While we cannot accurately predict what this intermediate species may have looked like, the discovery of this hominid provides an exciting opportunity for further research and study. It is likely that this species had a combination of traits from both Homo erectus and Homo sapiens, and studying its anatomy and behavior could help us better understand the transition to modern humans.

It is important to continue conducting thorough anthropological and archeological research on this discovery, as well as other potential missing links, to gain a more complete understanding of human evolution. This new finding highlights the importance of ongoing scientific exploration and the potential for new discoveries to reshape our understanding of the past.

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

I find this discovery to be incredibly exciting and promising. The search for the missing link between Homo erectus and Homo sapiens has been ongoing for decades, and the discovery of a potential intermediate is a significant step in our understanding of human evolution. While there are still many gaps in our knowledge of the hominid lineage, this discovery provides a potential piece to the puzzle.

The timeline provided by WSU is a helpful summary of the known hominid species, but it is important to note that it is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made. It is also important to keep in mind that the timeline is based on the best available evidence, but it is always subject to change as our understanding of human evolution continues to deepen.

The discovery of this potential intermediate species in Ethiopia is a testament to the importance of continued research and exploration in the field of anthropology. It is through these efforts that we are able to fill in the gaps in our knowledge and gain a better understanding of our own evolutionary history.

As for what this missing link might have looked like, it is difficult to say with certainty. It is likely that this intermediate species would have shared characteristics with both Homo erectus and Homo sapiens, but also had its own unique features. Further analysis and research on this discovery will hopefully provide more insight into its physical appearance and behavior.

In conclusion, the discovery of a potential intermediate species between Homo erectus and Homo sapiens is a significant development in our understanding of human evolution. It highlights the importance of continued research and exploration in this field and opens up new avenues for further study and discovery.