Is there sufficient fossil evidence to date to prove Darwin's Theory of the origin of species?

Answer 1

There is so much evidence, it is ridiculous. By the way, the media likes to talk about "missing links" but the gaps between different species are becoming smaller and smaller as more discoveries are made.

Answer 2

Depends on whom you ask. There is a lot of evidence available, but the theory of evolution is such a contentious topic that you can view the fossil evidence either way -- if you believe in evolutionary theory, you can point to the fossils as definitive proof of one species changing into another (e.g. Archeopteryx, the transition from reptile to bird), but if you believe in Creationism... er, excuse me, Intelligent Design... the fossils prove nothing (I've even heard a theory that God put fossils in the earth to test man's faith in Him. After all, if the world WAS created at 9:00 AM on October 26, 4004 BC, there's no way that these fossils could be millions of years old, right?) Unfortunately, as long as there is religious fundamentalism endemic in our society, Darwin's theory will remain just a theory and not a law -- until we become immortal and can observe a population evolve over time, there will always be a portion of our society that refuses to accept any evidence of evolution.

Answer 3

I think DNA evidence is more important than fossil evidence at this point

but I would say there is not sufficient fossil evidence to PROVE the theory, if there was it would be law and not theory and we would not have arguments against it anymore

Answer 4

Overwhelmingly so. But, bear in mind that today we also have Stephen Jay Gould's modification, "punctuated equilibrium" to explain why some lines evolve in short period bursts, while others proceed much more gradually...as Darwin envisioned. Today, we also have LOTS of genetic (etc., etc.,) data that support this view that Darwin had never dreamed of. This is why it's a "theory" (supported by data), and NOT just a hypothesis (an informed conjecture).

Answer 5

Plenty of fossil evidence to show that Darwin's theory is definetely on the right track,

Answer 6

Yes, you can see it museums on display, if you have the credentials you can go into the back rooms and see the stuff that isn't pretty enough or dramatic enough for display, heck, you can go to nearly any road cut and find fossils if you're patient and know what to look for.

Answer 7

Yes. Go to a muesum.