Saturday, July 17, 2010

BBC Report: Fossil links humans and monkeys


In this BBC report published this morning, it was revealed that Scientists from the University of Michigan, along with a team from the Saudi Arabian Geological Survey, have unveiled some fossils last year that date back around 30 Million years, theoretically linking Humans with Apes. No Big deal,  especially if you're one of those people who find Darwin's Theory of  Human Evolution the foremost reference in Human Evolutionary Development, as opposed to the less radical Religious and Theological interpretations and revelations.

A short Google Search revealed a very nice video clip of the events by Nature Magazine, found here. Try it, quite informative and insightful.

What struck me as even more surprising was the fact that this joint team made their discovery last year in Saudi Arabia-of all places, and have published their findings only now in July's edition of Nature. This, to me, reveals a few things;

1-That Saudi Arabia is becoming more vigorous in it's pursuit to attain higher levels of education, by having exchange programs that facilitate research expeditions such as this one, despite it's anti-Western reputation.
2-That Saudi Arabia is home to a great many kinds of historical and archaeological information, it's such a shame that none of it was ever brought to light until very recently.
3-That the concept of a 'possible' shift in the standard and traditional Saudi Arabian policy pertinent to being open to alternative ideas-no matter how blasphemous they may seem-is slowly taking shape. (His Highness, King Abdullah has already made great strides towards the advancements of the Saudi society, by enforcing and mandating a Co-ed University last year.)
4-That there may be other treasures relevant to mankind's scientific advancements, and that more effort should be made to seek them out within the traditionally closed and secluded countries like Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran, etc. Personally, I think that the entire Middle East is rife with archaeological treasures and historical finds (besides the Pharaohs in Egypt and the Romans in Jordan!)
5-It's very reassuring that, despite opinions to the contrary, Saudi Arabia does care about it's archaeology, which is encouraging, since it could possible one day encourage other GCC states to have the same interests.

Personally, and on another note, it further supports my town personal theory that, despite 'evolution' and whatever religion tells us, some present-day humans still display their ancestral traits during certain situations. I may be wrong, but science is science after all..........

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I loled.. figuratively.

I remember reading that -at one time- smoking tobacco was considered to be a very healthy practice.

science is still science after all, prone to misinterpretation and human error.