2007-09-17 10:24:49 · 11 answers · asked by John W 1 in Social Science ➔ Anthropology
There is no such thing as a missing link. It's all there in the fossil record. Of course there are gaps and we don't have a fossil of every primate that ever existed. But I suppose the answer to your question is: No. The missing link has never been found because there is no such thing.
2007-09-17 10:45:05 · answer #1 · answered by LoquaciousV 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wikipedia says it better than I can ...
"A popular term used to designate transitional forms is "the missing link". The term is especially used in the regular media, but is inaccurate and confusing, partly because it implies that there is a single link missing to complete the picture, which must be discovered. In reality, the continuing discovery of more and more transitional fossils is further adding to our knowledge of evolutionary transitions. The term probably arose in the nineteenth century where the awaited discovery of a "missing link" between humans and so-called "lower" animals was considered to be the final proof of evolution. The Australopithecus afarensis fossil (more commonly known as "Lucy"), a key transitional fossil, has often been represented as "the missing link".
The discovery of Australopithecus africanus (Taung Child), Java Man, Homo erectus, Sinanthropus pekinensis (Peking Man), etc. are also vital to the study of links."
2007-09-18 12:46:40 · answer #2 · answered by christnp 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The truth is that we have lots of fossils now but still we have barely scratched the surface. The fossils we have are generally very incomplete and sparse and widespread. Paleoanthropologists tend to make unsubstantiated claims to hype their fossil and often claim that it is the first this or the first that or the oldest or the youngest, etc. This tends to get everything muddled. Probably many "missing links" have been found so they are not missing anymore. It is impossible to say where it fits. It is like having a piece of a puzzle that is just a small sliver that is sliced off. You might be able to guess that it belongs somewhere but it is difficult to be sure.
2007-09-17 19:23:09 · answer #3 · answered by JimZ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There isn't much that old that has ever been found to be irrefutable. Just ask the creationists. Kidding.
My understanding is that a lot of what gets found is best - educated - guess and speculation.
There has been enough found to suggest a natural progression.
2007-09-17 21:57:26 · answer #4 · answered by Rubber Cranium 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Link to what? There are scores of examples of transitional species in the fossil record.
2007-09-18 18:16:55 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
what missing link?
2007-09-17 17:31:58 · answer #6 · answered by t. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as the missing link!
2007-09-18 10:51:40 · answer #7 · answered by Miss 6 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is no missing link
2007-09-17 22:11:18 · answer #8 · answered by Steve G 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What about Lucy? I'm not sure if she was 'the' missing link but I think she was close.
2007-09-17 17:55:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes. It just asked a question.
2007-09-18 08:51:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋