Medical doctor were still bleeding people 100 years ago. The bizarre hypothesis of the aquatic ape mysterious. In the first full discussion of a theory propounded by the late sir alister hardy, elaine morgan points to the dramatic similarities between ourselves and the aquatic mammals whales, dolphins, seals, sea otters and argues that the only theory of evolution which explains these satisfactorily is that we, alone among the primates, have returned to life on land after a period of adaptation to an aquatic environment. 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. My book arrived both sooner and in better condition that i expected. While this aquatic ape hypothesis is pretty controversial and probably not true in any strong form, morgan argues it well and does provide a. Apr 01, 2020 the aquatic ape theory on the other hand picks out one of all these environments and says. The book became a best seller on the strength of its readable style and political message, but received a frosty reception from the scientific world. My personal favorite part of the chapter were the last 2 pages with all the questions and the conclusion to the book. One quick search on amazon got me directed to this dealer and within about 3 days i. African origins theory is fairly well accepted among anthropologists and archaeologists, as well as most related scientific disciplines, but there are, as with natural selection, some competing ideas.
Popularized in the 1970s and 1980s by writer elaine morgan, the theory suggests that early hominids lived in water at least part of the time. The savanna theory explained that our ancestors moved into a savanna environment on walked on two legs. I am interested in indigenous cultures, maritime lifestyles and evolutionary science. The writer elaine morgan championed it in her book the aquatic ape, and developed the hypothesis further. The aquatic ape theory gives us fresh perspective and new possibilities to some of the biggest mysteries about our origins. The violence that is contained is no stronger that what would be found in the reading of a history book. In 1967, the hypothesis was mentioned in the naked ape, a popular book by the zoologist desmond morris, who reduced hardys phrase more aquatic apelike ancestors to the bare aquatic ape, commenting that despite its most appealing indirect evidence, the aquatic theory lacks solid support. May, 20 the aquatic ape theory explained the evolution of our ancestors from a wet environment. Through the process of convergent evolution, an aquatic environment offers an alternative hypothesis for certain features that humans have compared to other primates. The aquatic ape theory postulates that humans evolved through an aquatic stage during which time they lived largely in water. She talks about aquatic ape theory and receives a standing ovation for her speech.
Contrary to its cryptozoological title, its actually more about real history than it sounds, but thats a story for another day. He had seen a television special on the theory and briefly followed up with a search of the scientific literature, but. This book is acceptable for the younger readers for it does not contain any offensive or gratuitous sex or offensive language. The aquatic ape hypothesis lays out the idea that humans evolved from primate ancestors who dwelt in watery habitats. Promotes a variation on the aquatic ape theory that suggests humans evolved from two hominids that were adapted to a waterside habitat. 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.
One theory, or hypothesis as the case may be, that tenaciously attacks the african origin theory is the aquatic ape theory. If mermaids are really out there, and aquatic ape theory really does explain their evolution, they probably dont look much like pretty, young girls. 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. One theory, or hypothesis as the case may be, that tenaciously attacks.
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. 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. Apr 23, 2020 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. 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, now largely dismissed, tries to explain the origins of many of humankinds unique traits. A brief critique of morgans 1997 book,the aquatic ape hypothesis. As summarized beautifully by elaine morgan, a groundbreaking theory regarding the evolution of humans originally proposed by zoologistmarine biologist alistair hardy in. May 07, 20 aquatic apes are the stuff of creationism, not evolution people think they know about evolution, but the aquatic ape theory isnt science. Chapter four the aquatic ape theory mermaids are real. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apes. In the aquatic ape, elaine morgan tries to explain the theory that humans evolved to be what we are today, by having to move into the ocean.
Aah aat alister hardy aquatic ape theory badjao badjao association of matina aplaya badjao conference bajau laut bajau laut conference bajo broken eardrums coral triangle davao derawan islands dha docosahexaenoic acid donald johanson dynamite fishing elaine morgan erik abrahamsson erika schagatay fish bombing grouper harry arlo nimmo hawksbill. The aquatic ape theory graham hancock official website. 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. It is the aquatic ape theory, an idea first widely publicized by marine biologist alister hardy in the 1930s. The latter states that when our ancestors spread around the world over the last couple o. The disturbing theory regarding the existence of mermaids. Frank joseph has produced a masterful treatment of this ancient family bond between dolphin and human that will intrigue, provoke, and satisfy the most exacting critic of the challenging aquatic ape theory that links our species as one. Unfortunately, the aquatic ape turns out to be exceedingly flammable for a waterdweller, and even the slightest criticism burns it beyond hope of recovery. The aquatic ape hypothesis elaine morgan why do humans differ from other primates. In the decades since, morgans aquatic ape hypothesis has gained widespread support. It is a great shame the bbc recently indulged this implausible theory as it distracts from the emerging story of human evolution that.
She would write about the theory in her book the descent of women, which would go on to become an international bestseller and really increase the prominence of the aquatic ape hypothesis, and she would go on to pen other books on the matter such as the aquatic ape 1982, the scars of evolution 1990, the descent of the child 1994 and the. Sep 16, 2016 in that test, the aquatic ape has failed again and again. Its intent is to explain the reason humans are so different from the other great apes. Seems to be mostly shunned by modern science, but the theory itself is undeniable in its simplistic and relevant explanations for otherwise difficult to explain human peculiarities. He is a much more learned and erudite writer than i, and you will get a much greater depth of information from his post than from my brief outline. The argument for the aquatic ape theory was based mainly on facts of comparative anatomy. 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. So the aquatic ape theory is actually pretty interesting. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat is the idea that. Hear her spirited defense of the idea and her theory on why science doesnt take it seriously.
The features distinguishing them are far more varied than the features dividing other pairs of species which are so closely genetically related. An examination of the evolution of mankind which presents the theory that at some time between 6 and 9 million years ago the ancestors of human beings returned to a marine existence, thus accounting for homo sapiens major differences from the apes. The aquatic ape hypothesis is the idea that our ancestors went through an aquatic mammal evolutionary stage. Elaine morgan gives a revolutionary hypothesis that explains our anatomic anomalieswhy we walk on. For starters we can hold our breath underwater longer than any other creature and babies instinctively hold their breath under water. Seems to be mostly shunned by modern science, but the. Popularized in the 1970s and 1980s by writer elaine morgan, the theory suggests. So much for hardys original mild, modest, irrefutable version of the theory. Jun, 20 cradle snatchers cause menopause, says biologist this article is more than 6 years old prof rama singh warns that michael douglas and rod stewart wannabes have stacked the darwinian deck of.
The bizarre hypothesis of the aquatic ape mysterious universe. A new aquatic ape theory science smithsonian magazine. This is a blog about sea nomads, maritime lifestyles and human evolutionary science. Fossil evidence is scarce and this has been the main reason why critics have been reluctant to consider the theory.
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. It is unlikely that an ancestor fossil will ever be found that conclusively identifies an aquatic lifestyle because the skeleton would not necessarily reflect the aquatic adaptations. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apes heres why. 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. Some impressive evidence has been marshaled in support of this theory, which needs to be addressed. The supporting evidence that tries to prove the theory true lies in the existence of hominid fossils in coast of east and south africa. 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 theory has many valid points and the fact it isnt taken seriously by the paleontologists isnt surprising since they dont seem to be motivated to find any alternate answers. Those of you who read my post, bipedal the aquatic ape theory, might be interested to learn of this guest blog on scienceblogs by marc verhaegen. The aquatic ape theory the aquatic ape theory is mostly the work of just two people 1 i have nothing new to add, except for a possible connection with global cataclysms consensus amongst scientists known as the savannah theory has it that the following sequence occurred. Also in the theory that humans did come from monkeys, scientists have tried to find the missing link in are so called evolution.
Books and publications semiaquatic human ancestors. The aquatic ape hypothesis by elaine morgan goodreads. The theory was first discussed in the 1940s but it has many difficulties. I first learned of elaine morgan and the aquatic ape theory from a botanist. Nov 01, 1982 the aquatic ape hypothesis is the idea that our ancestors went through an aquatic mammal evolutionary stage. Thought provoking book, very well presented theory of a semi aquatic existence in our distant past. The aquatic ape theory on the other hand picks out one of all these environments and says. 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.
What do those differences tell us about human evolution. The traditional savannah ape theory that early hominid apes evolved on the grass plains of east africa 6 7 million years ago from our quadruped ape ancestors. My name is erik abrahamsson a swedish anthropologist and photographer. Cradle snatchers cause menopause, says biologist science. The aquatic ape theory states that approximately 67 million years ago, our ape ancestors were trapped in a semiaquatic environment. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat and more recently the waterside model, is the idea that certain ancestors of modern humans were more aquatic than other great apes and even many modern humans, and, as such, were habitual waders, swimmers and divers. The aquatic ape theory suggests that when our ancestors moved onto the savanna they were already different from apes. In a nutshell, its a book written for the nonacademic masses, so dont expect it. Brad and sherry steiger, authors of real visitors, voices from beyond, and parallel dimensions. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic.
Thought provoking book, very well presented theory of a semiaquatic existence in our distant past. Apr 11, 2020 aquatic ape theory does present a compelling explanation for how a fully aquatic humanlike creature may have evolved. Humans differ from apes in a surprising number of ways. This theory had first been proposed by an english marine biologist named alister hardy if i remember correctly and was held to explain a host of differences between homo sapiens. 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. Apr 16, 2012 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 scars of evolution is a discussion of a theory of human origins which holds that h. A few years ago, elaine morgan published a book called the aquatic ape that publicized a theory that humans, at some time in their evolution, had partially adapted to a marine environment. 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. Most credible theory of human evolution new ed by morgan, elaine isbn. Jun 04, 2012 humans are among some of the strangest land mammals. 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. The aquatic ape theory is a radical shift away from the savannah theory, in which homo sapiens are supposed to have descended from hairy apes, dropping down from the trees and taking to two legs on the hunt for prey across the plains of africa.
Why anthropologists dont accept the aquatic ape theory. We are told by scientists that we evolved from apes and that we share about 98% of our genes with the chimpanzee and bonobo, but the problem is that we dont look like any other ape. Elaine morgan and the aquatic ape erika lorraine milam. This idea was attacked at first by scientists, but the book became an international bestseller.
I can see two possible future scenarios for the aquatic ape theory. Elaine morgan was a tenacious proponent of a theory that is not widely accepted. The ideas principal proponent since hardy has been british screenwriter elaine morgan, who has written at least six books promoting the aquatic. Key proponents of aat aquatic ape theory hypothesis. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Elaine morgan, who has died aged 92, was a delightfully controversial advocate of the aquatic ape theory of human evolution. May 08, 2018 it is the aquatic ape theory, an idea first widely publicized by marine biologist alister hardy in the 1930s. Mar 17, 2017 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 theory 1985 which was prefaced by hardy himself. Humans are among some of the strangest land mammals. 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. Elaine morgan 192020 was the author of the 1972 book the descent of woman, which suggested that human evolution had an aquatic origin. The mythical mermaid is clearly an aquatic animal and so is a human being if we are to believe the aquatic ape theory. In the book, the aquatic ape by elaine morgan, the author tries to explain a theory of the evolution of man, to the reader. 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 critique of the aquatic ape theory, with examples refuting the basic premises of. The aquatic ape theory there is a popular fringe theory about human evolution that claims we went through an aquatic phase. Our dolphin ancestors book by frank joseph official.