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Scientists claims to have found the missing link between humans and primates along the evolutionary chain. The fossil is "as good as it gets" according to Dr. Jorn Hurum, a Paleontologist at the University of Oslo who studied the finding.
According to the scientists:
Twenty times older than most fossils that explain human evolution, "Ida" is a transitional species showing characteristics from the very primitive non-human evolutionary line (prosimians, such as lemurs), but she is more related to the human evolutionary line (anthropoids, such as monkeys, apes and humans). This places Ida at the very root of anthropoid evolution -- when primates were first developing the features that would evolve into our own...
Unlike Lucy and other famous primate fossils found in Africa's Cradle of Mankind, "Ida" is a European fossil, preserved in Germany's Messel Pit; the mile-wide crater and oil-rich shale is a significant site for fossils of the Eocene period. Fossil analysis reveals that the prehistoric primate was a young female. Opposable big toes and nails instead of claws confirm the fossil is a primate. It is the evidence in Ida's ankle that links her to us; her talus bone is the same shape as ours only smaller. In addition to the 95% complete skeleton, measuring approximately three feet in length, the fossil also features the complete soft body outline as well as the gut contents; an herbivore, "Ida" fed on fruits, seeds and leaves before she died. X-rays reveal both baby and adult teeth, but also the lack of a "toothcomb" or a "toilet claw" -- attributes of lemurs. The scientists estimate Ida's age to be approximately nine months.
Catch more of Dr. Hurum's remarks, along with footage of the fossil, in the video above.
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This is so amazing how this
This is so amazing how this works. This is so good to read about. I did not know the missing link.
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