For FFGFollower - Here's your chance!

What do you mean by a common ancestor?If you mean a species that was before the split of humans from apes (about 6 or 8 Myr BP) then it depends. There are examples from before the split and they would count but it would be more interesting to find one very close to the split. I don't think there is one "just" before the split.Do you mean a particular species or individual animal that is absolutely for sure the one that speciated into the two lines then no, and I don't think it ever will be.I presume you're focussing on humans lineages for some reason? There is a good chain connecting us back to earlier primates. The genetic information is very strong as well. Given all of that do we need a specific species as a "common ancestor"? If so, why?[This message has been edited by NosyNed, 06-17-2003]

Crash, I don't think it matters who says their ideas or interpretations or whatever could be wrong. Who cares?Only when one actually comes to the realization that there is an error in what one thinks does it mean a thing. Until then we can say "I'll change my mind" but reject all thoughts that might lead to that. How meaningful is that.I don't think that's the big feature that distinguishes science. Evidence, independent testing and reasoning, leaving out the supernatural are more distinguishing.