Author Topic: Newly-Discovered Human Hand Bone Puzzles Scientists, Shows No Sign of Evolutionary Changes  (Read 1099 times)

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Offline Lipstick on a Hillary

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http://christiannews.net/2014/01/14/newly-discovered-human-hand-bone-puzzles-scientists-shows-no-sign-of-evolutionary-changes/



KENYA – The recent discovery of a human hand bone in Africa has surprised evolutionary scientists, causing them to significantly revise their previous theories about early humans.

In a recent journal article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a research team announced the discovery of an ancient human hand bone in northern Kenya. Scientists have identified the bone as a third metacarpal, which is a bone found at the base of the middle finger.

Secular scientists assigned an age of 1.4 million years to the metacarpal, which means it is the oldest dated human bone ever discovered. According to the journal article, the discovery “provides evidence for the evolution of the modern human hand more than 600,000 years earlier than previously documented.”

The bone discovery also provides evidence of advanced physical skills and intelligence in early humans. Carol Ward, a University of Missouri professor whose team discovered the bone, said the metacarpal proves early humans’ dexterity.
 
“Being able to make such precise tools indicates that these early humans were almost certainly using their hands for many other complex tasks as well,” Ward stated.

“The styloid process reflects an increased dexterity that allowed early human species to use powerful yet precise grips when manipulating objects,” she added.

According to experts, the hand bone appears to be fully human and is nearly identical to modern metacarpals. In the original journal article, the researchers wrote, “In all ways, this bone resembles that of a modern human in overall proportions and morphology.”

The striking resemblance between the supposedly 1.4-million-year-old hand bone and modern human hand bones is troubling to secular scientists, since it provides no evidence for the major anatomical changes predicted by evolutionary theory. Brian Thomas, Science Writer for the Institute for Creation Research, wrote in an article published Friday that this recently-discovered hand bone does not comport with the evolutionary time frame.

“Regardless of secularists’ disjointed dating differences,” Thomas wrote, “the most significant news from the latest hand-fossil find should be the simple fact that the oldest, widely recognized human hand bone shows no evolutionary change. This Kenyan fossil points to man originating … as man.”

As previously reported, the recent discovery of an ancient human skull in Asia similarly challenged evolutionary theory surrounding mankind. Although the skull was allegedly two million years old, its proportions were very similar to modern humans, thus defying the assumptions of secular scientists and compelling them to significantly adjust their time frame.

In an email interview with Christian News Network, Thomas said the routine adjustment of major elements in the narrative of human evolution is significant.

“When reconstructing a narrative of past events, we could attribute minor rearranging to the acquisition of better data—like new DNA evidence that proves a convict’s innocence,” Thomas stated. “But when major elements are rearranged routinely—and this occurs several times per year with human evolution—we should suspect that the entire narrative is not data-driven at all, but is instead endlessly moldable and thus entirely subjective.”

Instead of attempting to fit evidence within evolutionary theory, Thomas suggested the biblical timeline provides a better explanation for scientific discoveries. Based on the evidence, Thomas believes this particular hand bone specimen from Kenya most likely originated shortly after the Great Flood.

“Endless problems arise as secular researchers bicker over which fossil might represent which evolutionary stage,” Thomas concluded. “However, this bone does not force a rewrite of human history as revealed in Scripture. So far, most of the supposed human evolution fossils fit the biblical categories of ape or human forms, and this human hand bone is no exception.”

Offline aligncare

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“The styloid process reflects an increased dexterity that allowed early human species to use powerful yet precise grips when manipulating objects,” she added.

I am only familiar with the bones in the human hand, but I suspect she's noting a significant morphological difference between this metacarpal's styloid process (a small bony projection at the end of a bone for the attachment of muscles) and one found along the metacarpal of an ape's hand.

As for the overall tone of the article, I don't think evolutionary theorists are concerned evolution theory will fall apart because of this finding.

Offline Lipstick on a Hillary

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Dittos for the Creationist's.

rangerrebew

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This does prove global warming, though. :woohoo:

Offline aligncare

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Offline EC

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I'd not expect a massive difference in the finger bones.

The thumb, on the other hand, pretty much defines being human.
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Offline ABX

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The original scientific article paints a different picture. It doesn't say it 'shows no signs of evolutionary changes', all the scientific paper states is it changes the timeline a bit as to when we see certain hand characteristics in hominids.  At that 'no sign of evolutionary changes' is no where in the paper nor implied.

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/12/12/1316014110.abstract


Offline ABX

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More detailed information. Not only is this not a fossil that shows 'no evolutionary changes' and the same as modern humans, but if you look at the details on page 3 of this, it appears this is a transitional fossil.

http://www.pnas.org/content/suppl/2013/12/12/1316014110.DCSupplemental/pnas.201316014SI.pdf


Oceander

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More detailed information. Not only is this not a fossil that shows 'no evolutionary changes' and the same as modern humans, but if you look at the details on page 3 of this, it appears this is a transitional fossil.

http://www.pnas.org/content/suppl/2013/12/12/1316014110.DCSupplemental/pnas.201316014SI.pdf



Uh-oh.  Now we're going to get slammed by the creationists and "intelligent design" whackos.

Offline EC

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More detailed information. Not only is this not a fossil that shows 'no evolutionary changes' and the same as modern humans, but if you look at the details on page 3 of this, it appears this is a transitional fossil.

http://www.pnas.org/content/suppl/2013/12/12/1316014110.DCSupplemental/pnas.201316014SI.pdf

Interesting, thank you!
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Oceander

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Who's a Stephen J. Gould junkie?