Were australopithecines apehuman intermediates or just apes? A test of both hypotheses using the "lucy" skeleton
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2010
Abstract
Mainstream scientists often claim that australopithecines such as the specimen nicknamed "Lucy" exhibit anatomy intermediate between that of apes and that of humans and use this as evidence that humans evolved from australopithecines, which evolved from apes. On the other hand, creationists reject evolution and claim that australopithecines are "just apes." Here, a point-by-point visual comparison with the skeletons of a chimpanzee, "Lucy," and a human is presented in order to evaluate both claims, treating them as testable hypotheses. The results support the hypothesis that australopithecines are anatomically intermediate between apes and humans. Classroom applications of this test of hypotheses are also discussed. © 2010 by National Association of Biology Teachers.
Recommended Citation
Senter, Phil, "Were australopithecines apehuman intermediates or just apes? A test of both hypotheses using the "lucy" skeleton" (2010). College of Health, Science, and Technology. 269.
https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/college_health_science_technology/269