Evolution subject of lecture series

While some people had their knuckles dragging as they slouched out of bed Saturday morning, others attempted to become more fit for survival by attending a lecture on human evolution.

The lecture, the second in a series of six called "On Becoming Human," is primarily concerned with the discoveries of human fossils and how they affected the acceptance of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. It was entitled "Discoveries and Discoverers" and contained material dealing with anthropology.

"It helped tie up a lot of my lectures in class," said Amy Klauder (sophomore-anthropology).

In the lecture, Pat Shipman, associate professor of anthropology, traced the history of fossil finds that supported Darwin's theory of evolution. She said there is more difference in the study of human origins than in many other fields of science because of the sequence in which fossils were discovered. The first fossils discovered were also the youngest in a long trail of fossils eventually found to support evolution, Shipman said.

The first human fossils were found in the Neander Valley in Germany by workmen who were quarrying the valley, she explained. The limb bones found were extremely large and dense, and the femur was bowed. The bone density was tested against those of modern humans in recent decades, including Olympic athletes, and the fossils were found to have a much greater bone density than the others.

Some scientists who did not believe in evolution said the femur was bowed because of the disease rickets, which causes bowing and a loss in bone density. Others proposed that it was bowed because the fossil was that of a soldier who was a member of the cavalry and his leg was bowed from riding a horse for so long. However, in modern science, it is accepted that the bones found support evolution.

Four lectures remain in the series and trace human evolution to its present state in many ways, including how the human mind evolved, the behavior of human ancestors, and the differences in ancient and modern DNA sequences. The lectures will be held at 11 a.m. Saturdays in 101 Thomas, with the exception of the March 1 lecture, which will be held in 111 Wartik.

"I hope to make it to the rest. It's something worth coming to," said James Sowry (senior-premedicine).