Mosaic Theory of Human Evolution with an Aquatic Element
Mosaic Theory of Human Evolution with an Aquatic Element
Often pre Homo Errectus or 'hominin' ancient humans are depicted with overtly apelike features. This is also reflected in the names given to these early members of our species. The suggestion is that they were essentially tree dwellers that started to venture onto the plains of the Savannah when dramatic climate changes started to fluctuate from drought to tropical weather and back during the onset of the Pleistocene some 2.5 million years ago. Up until then, early human ancestors largely followed an 'Australopithecine' body plan, including an upright gait, changes in the structure and size of the brain as well as evidence for early use of tools, a varied diet and range of habitat. Some evidence, such as at the Swartkans cave in South Africa even suggests symbolic and ritual thought and the creation of art (see the disputed 'cobble stone from Makapansgat').
However, a human upright gait developed very early on some six to eight million years ago. Throughout early human evolution an aquatic habitat element is implied through diet, location, fossil finds and ultimately the distribution patterns of human migration (such as homo florensis for instance).
The upright gait is not the only anatomical change evident in early humans. The human hand and foot is another curiosity. It deviates significantly from the hands of apes adapted to live in trees. The human hand has an enlarged palm. The Aquatic Theory of Human Evolution has quite reasonably argued (amongst many other more fantastic propositions) that some human features such as human skin, a straight pelvis etc are adaptations to swimming. The problem with the Aquatic Theory of Human Evolution is that it supposed a 'full' adaptation to an aquatic environment for which there is no evidence. The Mosaic Theory of Human Evolution with an Aquatic Element supposes that early human ape ancestors had begun to exploit protein sources from dried up rivers and lakes such as lung fish or other trapped fish, establishing an affinity with river and lake habitats that allowed these ancestral apes to use rivers as migration routes to other habitats. Such a human ancestor would have been a fringe species, an opportunist who learned how to swim and exploit its familiarity with woodlands, savannah and river habitats.
In this theory, essential human features such as noses, skin and an upright gait develloped early on. A high intake of fish protein changed human teeth. The fringe habitat reduced the hold of inbred instincts, driven by the exposure to very different environments such as land and water, emphasizing the importance of social bonds. River and lake habitats are also a natural source of all building and tool materials associated with basic human culture (including stone cores for stone tools, clay, driftwood, reeds etc.). An affinity with a river and lake habitat would also explain why humans were able to overcome their instinctual animal fear of fire. Rivers too are symbolic of the basic human syntax of past (origin = upriver = mountain), present, and future (destiny = downriver = ocean), laying the foundations for fundamental aspects in human logic and mythology.
