Prehistoric skull found in dump may be missing common ancestor of apes & humans

The Guardian ^ | Monday November 7, 2005 | Dale Fuchs in Madrid

[dead]

Palaeontologists excavating a dump outside Barcelona have found a skull dating back 14m years that could belong to a common ancestor of apes and humans.

The nearly intact skull, which has a flat face, jaw and teeth, may belong to a previously unknown species of great ape, said Salvador Moya, the chief palaeontologist on the dig. "We could find a cradle of humanity in the Mediterranean," he said.

A routine land survey for a planned expansion of the Can Mata dump in Els Hostalets de Pierola turned up the first surprise in 2002: a primate's tooth.

Since then, scientists from the Miquel Crusafont Institute of Palaeontology in Sabadell have unearthed nearly 12,000 fossils of primates and other animals that lived during the Middle Miocene era - between 14m and 8m years ago - when the area was covered by tropical rainforest and populated by the precursors of today's elephants, antelopes and monkeys.

Last year, the team found a 13m-year-old partial skeleton, also believed to be a common ancestor of apes and humans - a male fruit-eater, nicknamed Pau.

"If there is a place in the world where it is possible to find an entire skeleton of a common ancestor to the great apes and humans, it is Hostalets de Pierola," Mr Moya told El País newspaper. "In few places [will] you uncover so many connected vertebrae in such good condition."

The Can Mata dump sits above clay soil in which animal remains became trapped and well-preserved.

[MineralMan]

"Why is it that every time someone finds a skull and dates it, they automatically think they know from the estimated age weather it is some link in some genus (or between them), rather than a dead end branch (which is much more likely) or incidental offshoot?" =======================================

They don't. That's why they say it may be. More research is needed. It's still a very interesting find, either way. A 14myo skull of this type is quite interesting.

[kinghorse]

Newsflash! Aboriginal people are the "missing link"! And on a fast track to extinction. More at 10!

[MineralMan]

"Since then, scientists from the Miquel Crusafont Institute of Palaeontology in Sabadell have unearthed nearly 12,000 fossils of primates and other animals that lived during the Middle Miocene era - between 14m and 8m years ago - when the area was covered by tropical rainforest and populated by the precursors of today's elephants, antelopes and monkeys."

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This appears to be a very rich find of Middle Miocene fossils. There's much to be learned from it, I expect. Of course, it will take years of research to come up with any firm conclusions.

[Busywhiskers]

My response to this is to cite the dismal record of so-called missing links:

Nebraska man
Java man
Piltdown man
Orce man

Based on past "scientific" discoveries this on will likely end up being the skull of a ten year old three toes sloth.

[MineralMan]

"Based on past "scientific" discoveries this on will likely end up being the skull of a ten year old three toes sloth.
"

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No, probably not. Unlike the examples you cited, this find is the result of a serious paleontological excavation. We'll have to see what further research reveals.

[Coyoteman]

My response to this is to cite the dismal record of so-called missing links:

Nebraska man
Java man
Piltdown man
Orce man

Based on past "scientific" discoveries this on will likely end up being the skull of a ten year old three toes sloth.

Looks like you are more familiar with the creation "science" websites then anything containing real science.

The details on these finds are in PatrickHenry's List-O-Links.

[dead]

I wonder how long the place has been a dump.

If its been a dump for hundreds of years, the layers and layers of refuse would provide the perfect protection for the site as civilization and industry grew all around it.

An unintentional protector for the treasure underneath.

[Junior]

Ping.

[MineralMan]

You know, I don't know. This story, though, is really a year old. There are lots of hits on Google for the name of the institute that is doing the research, from November of last year. Here's a photo of the skull in question:

[Heatseeker]

Just so long as they eventually publish. A lot of stuff in this field doesn't get published; not because of any bias or conspiracy, but simply due to academic sloppiness or lack of funds. Hopefully the folks at the Miquel Crusafont Institute of Palaeontology are not affected by this.

[Oztrich Boy]

Why is it that every time someone finds a skull and dates it, they automatically think they know from the estimated age weather it is some link in some genus

1. Optimism
2. If it looks like what is expected, from the right time period current thinking considers likely - it's a good working hypothethis

[MineralMan]

"Just so long as they eventually publish. A lot of stuff in this field doesn't get published; not because of any bias or conspiracy, but simply due to academic sloppiness or lack of funds. Hopefully the folks at the Miquel Crusafont Institute of Palaeontology are not affected by this."

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Actually, there's quite a bit of publication already. The basic story is about a year old. Google the full name of the Institute to find a bunch of additional info, and see above for a photo of the skull.

Apparently, this critter had some features of a primate and some of a monkey, but had short fingers like a primate. It's fascinating, and it sounds like additional stuff is being found now, resulting in this new story.

It's worth a Google.

[Oztrich Boy]

I don't think you would be able to tell from bones if an animal were human. There is that little thing called a soul.

But then it is not possible to determine if any animal or human has a soul

[Publius6961]

Who would throw something like that away?!

No no no. You've got to interpolate incompetent reporting.
This "dump" is apparently a cut and cover operation, where pits are dug, garbage spread and compacted, and then filled with thin layes of original soil.

Digging the large pits to begin the process is where the skull and other artifacts were discovered.
Sort of like randomly picking a spot do dig a large deep hole, and discovering unexpected prizes.

[MineralMan]

"But then it is not possible to determine if any animal or human has a soul"

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Quite true. The "soul" is some sort of supernatural thing...not something science can study in any way. It's a religious concept, not a scientific one.

[wardaddy]

Damn....I thought I was like Ethiopian mon!

or Eritrean at least.

now, I'm told I came from some Spanish garbage dump.

i'm starting to get negative about this origins of man stuff I'm telling ya

[Heatseeker]

I am now, thanks. The link to the Institute's home page is here (though alas it is only in Spanish) for anyone who is interested.

[add925]

Why would this early human be taking a dump in Barcelona? Wasn't the city founded much later in ......wait, just re-read.....never mind.

;)

[trisham]

The teeth in the lower jaw are in remarkably good shape.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Quick...hurry... put a picture of in the next run of the science text books and teach it as FACT.

Evilution Theology bump.