by Mark Silva
As is fitting for the modern media world in which we live, the 47-million-year-old fossil of a primate hailed as "the missing link'' in human evolution, indeed he "Holy Grail'' of archeaology, already has a book deal, and they've sold the movie rights.
The announcement Tuesday was years in the making. But then, so was evolution: Scientists say the nearly perfectly preserved fossil of a 47 million-year-old, cat-sized, lemur-like primate officially known as Darwinius masillae provides long-sought evidence of evolution that led to primates standing upright -- perhaps even validation for Charles Darwin.
"This specimen is like finding the Lost Ark for archeologists," scientist Jorn Hurum said at a ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History. "It is the scientific equivalent of the Holy Grail. This fossil will probably be the one that will be pictured in all textbooks for the next 100 years."
It's already found its way into the Google logo. And, because they had some time for the rollout of this discovery first found in a crater outside Frankfurt in 1983 but only later transferred to authorities in Oslo who could start making sense of it, a History Channel film on the discovery is ready to roll next week. A book release will follow.
Which got us to thinking of the long day's discussion of Michael Steele, the new Republican National Committee chairman who said yesterday that it's time for the GOP to stop making excuses for the mistakes of the past, yet he traces the roots of his own political philosophy to William F. Buckley, Ronald Reagan and Edmund Burke. As our friend Dana Milbank at the Washington Post notes this morning, Buckley passed away last year, "Reagan in 2004 and Burke in 1797.''
Maybe Steele can run Darwinius in 2012?
(Wires contributed. Photo by Getty Images.)
Comments
Alt. Caption;
'I don't know, on one level I'm very proud of being discovered. But then again there is the shame of being the progenitor of Ann Cooter, Rush Limburger, and Rick Sanitarium.'
Posted by: C.Morris | May 20, 2009 8:27 AM
Snark. And second hand snark, at that, borrowing from another Leftie journalist at the Washington (Com)Post.
Posted by: Bruce | May 20, 2009 8:57 AM
Oh, Geez, you're giving those intellectually astute creationists, more ammunition !! The bible doesn't say we were on this earth for millions of years, so that can't be !! Don't let Governor Palin see this article, she will ban it from the newsstands, all over Alaska and maybe, Russia, too !! Come, boys and girls of the " Republican " Party, here is a lesson in evolution. You know, Darwin, primates and the development of life on this planet for the last billion or so, years !! Oh, that's right, you don't believe in Science, not your kind of science, anyway !!! No wonder, they can't think past their guns !! Them, old flintlocks !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | May 20, 2009 9:18 AM
Very good post, " C. Morris " !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | May 20, 2009 9:44 AM
Well OF COURSE humans evolved on the European Continent! How on earth can people think that humans evolved on the African Continent is beyond me, because the African Continent has been and ever shall be the Dark Continent. Nothing evolves there. Just look at the populations and how they live YET TODAY, and you will have your answer.
Posted by: pi | May 20, 2009 10:12 AM
Well OF COURSE humans evolved on the European Continent! How on earth can people think that humans evolved on the African Continent is beyond me, because the African Continent has been and ever shall be the Dark Continent. Nothing evolves there. Just look at the populations and how they live YET TODAY, and you will have your answer.
Posted by: pi | May 20, 2009 10:12 AM
Wow- what do you have to say to have your post filtered here..
pi- so when do you plan on participating in human evolution? How did you manage to avoid it so long?
Posted by: heartburn | May 20, 2009 11:11 AM
"Well OF COURSE humans evolved on the European Continent! How on earth can people think that humans evolved on the African Continent is beyond me, because the African Continent has been and ever shall be the Dark Continent. Nothing evolves there. Just look at the populations and how they live YET TODAY, and you will have your answer."
Shouldn't you be at your Klan meeting?
Posted by: Tracy | May 20, 2009 11:15 AM
Overhyped, Unproven, say the scientists quoted at MSNBC:
"Robert Bazell, Chief Science & Health Correspondent
"With great fanfare, New York's Mayor Bloomberg and others today unveiled a model of a 47-million-year-old fossil of a baby monkey-like creature at the American Museum of Natural History. The unveiling was part of a promotion effort by the History Channel and Little, Brown Book Group, which are producing a documentary and a book about the discovery.
There is no question that this is an important scientific finding. The fossil purchased by scientists at a market in Europe is exceptionally well preserved. But the documentary is titled "The Link: This Changes Everything," and the press kit for the event declares that reporters are about to "witness the most important find in 47 million years."
So I phoned Dr. Tim White at the University of California, Berkeley. White is a renowned paleontologist who played a key role in the discovery of "Lucy," the first ape-like creature to stand erect and many other important findings about the evolution leading to humans.
"Three words," he said. "Over the top."
The people who promoted this event make a big deal out of the possible place this newly discovered fossil plays in the evolution leading to humans. But if you read their actual scientific paper in a respectable peer-reviewed scientific journal (http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0005723) the scientists make no such claim.
The big question about this finding, White said, "is whether it is the 'Mother of All Monkeys?' and that is not even resolved. With years of study the scientists will learn whether this is the creature that stands at the intersection of one group of primates that went on to be best represented by lemurs today or another group that went on to be chimps and humans. But they don't know yet."
The event organizers do seem to know, however, the potential value of hype."
Overhyped and unproven. In short, the usual basis for a Swamp article attacking on the GOP.
Posted by: Bruce | May 20, 2009 12:14 PM
We'll look forward to hearing what the Palintologists have to say, too.
Posted by: Mark Silva | May 20, 2009 12:33 PM
For the small minded and underdeveloped, " Republicans ", they must seek out, spokespersons to undermine an interesting find !! Threatened by science, once again, they bring out their age-old superstitions and amulets, hoping facts don't force them to revise their obsession with all things, biblical !! One day, we will enjoy the bible as a very good book, one that should not be used as scientific authority, let alone, fact and certainly, not as club, with which to punish the " doubters " !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | May 20, 2009 1:09 PM
After careful investigation and research, it was determined that this creature died with traces of teabags in it's stomach.
Posted by: bill r. | May 20, 2009 4:16 PM
The fossil has a visible backbone, which proves that it couldn't be a Democrat.
Posted by: Bruce | May 20, 2009 5:07 PM
Finally, someone or something that Dimwit Nancy Pelosi could beat in a debate.
Posted by: Terry | May 20, 2009 5:55 PM
The fossil's small cranium also argues for its being a Democrat. However, the fact that it's extinct suggests it might have worked as a print journalist.
Posted by: Bruce | May 20, 2009 9:06 PM