In 1967, the hypothesis was mentioned in the naked ape, a popular book by the zoologist desmond morris, who reduced hardys phrase more aquatic apelike ancestors to the bare aquatic ape, commenting that despite its most appealing indirect evidence, the aquatic theory lacks solid support. African genesis, the naked ape and the descent of woman. Elaine morgan and the aquatic ape erika lorraine milam. Humans differ from apes in a surprising number of ways.
Elaine morgan obe, frsl 7 november 1920 12 july 20, was a welsh writer for television and the author of several books on evolutionary anthropology, especially the aquatic ape hypothesis which she advocated as a corrective to what she saw as theories which purveyed gendered stereotypes and thus failed to adequately take account of womens role in human evolution. Initially, alister hardy and elaine morgan suggested that human ancestors had been living along the coast along during a limited period of time 57 million years ago, and then left for land. The writer elaine morgan championed it in her book the aquatic ape, and developed the hypothesis further, marshalling a seemingly impressive range of characteristics to support it, including. The features distinguishing them are far more varied than the features dividing other pairs of species which are so closely genetically related. Reviewcritique of elaine morgans 2008 book the naked. Founded in 1997, has become a leading book price comparison site. Elaine morgan, author of the international bestseller the descent of woman, a feminist view of evolution, enjoyed a brief celebrity shortly after its publication in 1972, mainly on account of her. The aquatic ape hypothesis by elaine morgan, 9780285643611, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Elaine morgan gives a revolutionary hypothesis that expl. A brief discussion of elaine morgans descent of woman, a great book, and the aquatic ape theory. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. In the decades since, morgans aquatic ape hypothesis has. Alister hardy, elaine morgan and the aquatic ape hypothesis. In the decades since, morgans aquatic ape hypothesis has gained widespread support.
This theory explains so much, that is one reason it. A theory of human evolution by elaine morgan 1982, book, illustrated at the. This book is out of print, but read the descent of woman, the descent of the child and the scars of evolution, all by the same author. Elaine morgan makes it seem anything but outlandish, and her writing style is inviting. The aquatic ape theory, now largely dismissed, tries to explain the origins of many of humankinds unique traits. Elaine morgan is a tenacious proponent of the aquatic ape hypothesis. A theory of human evolution paperback 1982 by elaine morgan author. Perhaps best known for her book the descent of woman, at tedglobal 2009 she made her case for the aquatic ape hypothesis an admittedly nonstandard idea about human origins.
Why anthropologists dont accept the aquatic ape theory 25 jan 2005 this is now an old post from 2005 see updates below one of the most common arguments about human evolution on the internet is whether hominids ever went through an aquatic phase in their evolution. The argument for the aquatic ape theory was based mainly on facts of comparative anatomy. Elaine morgan was a tenacious proponent of a theory that is not widely accepted. What is the aquatic theory and what is her connection with it. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel.
Elaine morgan says we evolved from aquatic apes youtube. Elaine morgan and the aquatic ape erika lorraine milam science. His book never materialised, if you were wondering. The aquatic ape theory on the other hand picks out one of all these environments and says. Elaine morgan 192020 was the author of the 1972 book the descent of woman, which suggested that human evolution had an aquatic origin. She then spent ten years researching human evolution before publishing the aquatic ape in 1982. In the book, the aquatic ape by elaine morgan, the author tries to explain a theory of the evolution of man, to the reader. Elaine morgan born 1920 is a welsh feminist writer, best known for her television work, including screen writing most of the episodes of dr finlays casebook. Elaine morgan worked in television professionally, at some point she became interested in a hypothesis called the aquatic ape theory and became involved in promoting it to a wider public. Elaine morgan books list of books by author elaine morgan. Elaine morgan was best known as a writer for television until the publication of the descent of woman in 1972, which became an international bestseller.
This theory had first been proposed by an english marine biologist named alister hardy if i remember correctly and was held to explain a host of differences between homo sapiens. Barberi become behavior bipedalism birds birth body hair brain breath carnivores chimpanzee danakil depression diving dolphin elaine morgan elephant environment erect posture eurasian plate evolution. In 1972, she published the descent of woman suggesting that human evolution had an aquatic origin. In the aquatic ape, elaine morgan tries to explain the theory that humans evolved to be all throughout history, scientist have tried to find out how we evolved, and if we truly came from monkeys.
The aquatic ape hypothesis by elaine morgan, paperback. I first learned of elaine morgan and the aquatic ape theory from a botanist. A new aquatic ape theory science smithsonian magazine. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Popularized in the 1970s and 1980s by writer elaine morgan, the theory suggests that early hominids lived in water at least part of the time.
Reviewcritique of elaine morgans 2008 book the naked darwinist i dont have enough new material to fill a sixth book on the aat aquatic ape theory. Rip elaine morgan, popularizer of the aquatic ape hypothesis. She is also the author of several books about the aquatic ape theory, among them the descent of woman, the aquatic ape, the scars of. While this aquatic ape hypothesis is pretty controversial and probably not true in any strong form, morgan argues it well and does provide a. This paper gives an overview of the beginnings and the scientific acceptance of the socalled aquatic ape hypothesis of human evolution aah, especially the. The scars of evolution is a discussion of a theory of human origins which holds that h. Elaine morgan, elaine floyd, welsh writer born nov. Also in the theory that humans did come from monkeys, scientists have tried to find the missing link in are so called evolution. Buy the aquatic ape first edition by elaine morgan isbn. This idea was attacked at first by scientists but the book became an international bestseller. Instead, this is an attempt to provide an online introduction to the idea for those unfamiliar with it, a brief account of my part in promoting it, and the reception accorded to it, and the current state of play. I was reacting against the strongly macho version of human emergence outlined by dart, and popularised by writers like robert ardrey. Hear her spirited defense of the idea and her theory on why science doesnt take it seriously.
The only alternative paradigm on offer was hardys aquatic suggestion briefly mentioned in desmond morriss best selling book the naked ape. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic. Excelling in both the arts and science, she became a top tv writer, a feminist icon and a. A few years ago, elaine morgan published a book called the aquatic ape that publicized a theory that humans, at some time in their evolution, had partially adapted to a marine environment. Elaine morgan obe, frsl was a welsh writer for television and the author of several books on evolutionary anthropology, especially the aquatic ape hypothesis. What do those differences tell us about human evolution. Morgans chief point in descent of woman was that too often biologists confused the. Earlier this year, in the guardian, erika milam offered a compelling new take on morgans place in continue reading. Elaine morgan, who has died aged 92, rose from a povertystricken upbringing in the welsh valleys to become an awardwinning television writer and, more controversially, a. He had seen a television special on the theory and briefly followed up with a search of the scientific literature, but. Elaine morgan was a woman of many talents who changed the world from her desk in mountain ash. Thought provoking book, very well presented theory of a semiaquatic existence in our distant past.
A brief critique of morgans 1997 book,the aquatic ape hypothesis elaine morgans 1997 aquatic ape book her sixth is supposedly her best researched according to her so ive read it and here jotted down some notes of things that i could immediately see were errors, problems, or logical fallacies. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. The aquatic ape theory graham hancock official website. My book arrived both sooner and in better condition that i expected. This idea was attacked at first by scientists, but the book became an international bestseller. I had just watched the animal planet mockumentary on tv and was left with at least a hundred questions as to the basis of the aquatic ape theory. One quick search on amazon got me directed to this dealer and within about 3 days i had it in my hands. The aquatic ape hypothesis lays out the idea that humans evolved from primate ancestors who dwelt in watery habitats. We deliver the joy of reading in 100% recycled packaging with free. I thought they were giving an unduly masculine slant on evolution. Seems to be mostly shunned by modern science, but the. But today many aquatic ape proponents believe that our human ancestors continued to live close to water. Buy the aquatic ape on free shipping on qualified orders.
The aquatic ape hypothesis by elaine morgan goodreads. Most credible theory of human evolution new ed by morgan, elaine isbn. This book left me feeling cheated, deeply and utterly cheated that my anthropology major had never mentioned, never once even alluded to the aquatic ape. The aquatic ape hardcover november 1, 1982 by elaine morgan author. Elaine morgan, who has died aged 92, was a delightfully controversial advocate of the aquatic ape theory of human evolution. Why anthropologists dont accept the aquatic ape theory. In the descent of woman 1972, morgan pronounced human beings the progeny of an aquatic ape in direct rebuttal to macho, manthehunter schools of anthropology. Elaine morgan psychology wiki fandom powered by wikia. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. The early television playwright and later feminist writer elaine morgan developed and promoted it, publishing in 1972 her first book on the subject, the descent of woman, and later other books, including the aquatic ape, the scars of evolution, the descent of the child, and the aquatic ape hypothesis.
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