Has anyone seen this?

Question

*Not for creationists

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Timeline_of_evolution&oldid=143698541

How interesting is that?! I don't care if some of that stuff isn't right but that is so interesting to read.

Answer 1

It's a misnomer to call it a timeline of evolution. It tries to represent graphically the approximate time periods for which we have some evidence for the existence of a lifeform. The line isn't nearly as clean as the diagram implies. No sooner does someone draw the lines than someone else discovers another fossil showing a previously unknown combination of coexisting lifeforms. If carefully and properly done, it's a way of presenting a snapshot of current scientific thought. But if honest, it would contain thousands of footnotes documenting uncertainty and controversy of evidence.

That said, recognizing there will be errors in the details, it is fascinating to envision a time when nothing more complex than bacteria existed, or that there could have been life even before photosynthesis.