Atheist Nexus

The World’s Largest Coalition of Nontheists and Nontheist Communities!

BECOMING HUMAN, PART 1

The first episode of Becoming Human -- a three-part NOVA documentary
on what the latest scientific research reveals about our hominid
relatives -- will air on November 3, 2009, on public broadcasting
stations around the country. According to NOVA:

***

Part 1, "First Steps," examines the factors that caused us to split
from the other great apes. The program explores the fossil of "Selam,"
also known as "Lucy's Child." Paleoanthropologist Zeray Alemseged
spent five years carefully excavating the sandstone-embedded fossil.
NOVA's cameras are there to capture the unveiling of the face, spine,
and shoulder blades of this 3.3 million-year-old fossil child. And
NOVA takes viewers "inside the skull" to show how our ancestors'
brains had begun to change from those of the apes. Why did leaps in
human evolution take place? "First Steps" explores a provocative "big
idea" that sharp swings of climate were a key factor.

***

Further information about the film, including a preview, interviews,
and interactive features, is available at NOVA's website. Information
on finding local public broadcasting stations is available via PBS's
website.

For further information, visit:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/beta/evolution/becoming-human-part-1.html

For information on local stations, visit:
http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html

Tags: evolution, human

Views: 0

Replies to This Discussion

I found it very interesting to consider brain size correlating with bipedalism. Also, the way the skull fastens to the spine uncovers whether the 'child' walked upright in a human way or whether it was more apelike and needed arms and legs to walk. The efficiency of the human gait had never occurred to me...they showed a chimp on a treadmill and showed how "inefficient" they are....comical.

All the plaster type casts of brains and the details that could be extrapolated...fascinating. In additon, all the links that are needed in the chain from ape to human...and how advanced technology can unearth all these secrets. Archeologists must be the most patient people on this planet!

RSS

Support Nexus

Click to Buy Amazon items and help A|N

Advertisements

Heathen's Guide

Your Ad Here

Helpful Items

 

Search Atheist Nexus:
Translate page:
 
Social Networking Links:
 

Latest Activity

Luara commented on Joan Denoo's photo
18 minutes ago
J. Morr replied to Joan Denoo's discussion Cox, Brian + In Search of Giants (in 15 parts) by Joan Denoo in the group ORIGINS: UNIVERSE, LIFE, HUMANKIND, AND DARWIN
1 hour ago
J. Morr liked Joan Denoo's discussion Cox, Brian + In Search of Giants (in 15 parts) by Joan Denoo
1 hour ago
Loren Miller replied to Debra Stevenson's discussion Humanistic Mormon Bishop's response to Elder's homophobic remark at GC
3 hours ago
Richard C Brown commented on Hessenroots's group Useless Without Coffee
3 hours ago
Kris Leeds commented on Kris Leeds's blog post Morality
4 hours ago
Kris Leeds liked Kris Leeds's blog post Morality
4 hours ago
Kris Leeds commented on Rachel Riley's blog post RAGE! (What I want to say but won't on FB)
5 hours ago
Mr Peterdactyl liked Joan Denoo's photo
5 hours ago
Mr Peterdactyl posted a photo
5 hours ago
Nicholas Yanoshak commented on Nicholas Yanoshak's blog post What I'd like to see
6 hours ago
Debra Stevenson posted blog posts
6 hours ago
Philip Jarrett replied to Anthony Jordan's discussion Poll Shows 29% of Americans Believe Armed Revolution May Become Necessary
7 hours ago
Chris Breman commented on Steph S.'s group Wildlife
7 hours ago
Tom Sarbeck replied to Steph S.'s discussion 'Crazy ants' a threat in southern U.S. in the group Hang With Friends
7 hours ago
Tony Carroll commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
7 hours ago
Tom Sarbeck commented on Ruth Anthony-Gardner's group Hang With Friends
7 hours ago
Debra Stevenson replied to Debra Stevenson's discussion Hm4
7 hours ago
Debra Stevenson replied to Debra Stevenson's discussion Hm4
7 hours ago
Debra Stevenson replied to Debra Stevenson's discussion Hm4
7 hours ago

© 2013   Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: Brother Richard.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service