New Ancient Human Species Discovered in Philippine Cave
Experts finally confirmed that the fossils and bones excavated in a cave in Northern Philippines was a new species of Homo. They are not a direct ancestor of modern day humans, but a distant relative. This adds to the evidence that evolution was not as linear as once was thought.
The new species was dubbed Homo Luzonensis after the island of Luzon where it was found. A team of Filipino, French and Australian researchers found the bones in Callao Caves, in Cagayan Valley,Northern Luzon in 2007. At first, the remains discovered came from previously unknown type of human but recent studies show that they might have lived about 50,000 years ago.
Many questions were raised from the discovery. How were they able to reach the island since it requires substantial sea crossing going to the island? Also, it poses contradiction to the earlier theory that humans are descendants of Homo Erectus that dispersed from Africa until they eventually died out.
Researchers believed that Luzonensis might probably have walked upright rather than lived on trees, the curved finger and toe bones suggest that climbing must have been an important part of their behavior, and they must have been small, standing less than four feet.
The discovery resulted to more questions rather than answers. The theory of evolution just got more interesting and more complicated that it already is.
Let’s discuss with aimtalk teachers
- What do you know about the theory of evolution? Please share.
- What do you think are the significance of discoveries such as this one?
- What recent scientific discovery have you heard? What is it about/
- Have you ever dreamt of becoming a scientist? If yes, in what field of study would you like to participate? If not, why?
Vocabulary
linear(adj): involving a series of connected events, ideas, etc, that move or progress from one stage to the next
dub(v): give something or someone a name that describes them in some way.
disperse(v): if a group of people disperse or are dispersed, they go away in different directions
