Keywords
Creationism
Evolutionary theory
Panspermia
Aquatic ape hypothesis
Fossils
Submitted : 2023-09-10
Accepted : 2023-09-25
Published : 2023-10-10
Abstract
The birth of human is a miracle in earth history, and the earliest human could be traced back to Sahelanthropus tchadensis, who had existed for at least about seven million years. In cultural anthropology, human is defined as a creature capable of using language, having a complex social organization, and science and technology. The origin of human has always been the focus of the field of paleoanthropology, including creationism, theory of evolution, panspermia, and aquatic ape hypothesis. Although there is some evidence to support each hypothesis, conclusive evidence is still lacking. China has a favorable geographical location and a good foundation in the field of paleoanthropology and related disciplines. The scientists from China successively discovered the fossils of Homo erectus, Heidelberg man, Homo sapiens and Danisova man, and made an important breakthrough in the “from fish to man” research. However, the exploration of the origin of human beings in China is facing challenges such as extensive research fields, lack of high-level scientific research bases and insufficient fossil discovery and identification. It is suggested that the research on the origin of human beings in China should focus on the three fields of land, ocean, and space, find more fossils and evidence, strengthen the identification and research of fossils, and cultivate more talents with international perspectives through the construction of high-level research bases and cross collaboration.
References
McMillan D, De LR, Guertin PA, et al., 2017, The Utility of Interappendicular Connections in Bipedal Locomotion. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 23(12): 1734–1740. https://www.doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666161216115947
Zwir I, Del-Val C, Hintsanen M, et al., 2022, Evolution of Genetic Networks for Human Creativity. Molecular Psychiatry, 27(1): 354–376. https://www.doi.org/10.1038/s41380-021-01097-y
Wagner-Egger P, Delouvée S, Gauvrit N, et al., 2018, Creationism and Conspiracism Share a Common Teleological Bias. Current Biology, 28(16): R867–R868.
Pasic MD, 2020, The Day God Created Man. Diagnosis, 7(1): 67–68.
Liang QJ, Bin J, Zhang GF, 2009, Charles Robert Darwin: The Great Founder of Scientific Evolutionism. Hereditas, 31(12): 1171–1176.
Shu D, 2014, Overview and Prospects of the Development of Biological Evolution since the advent of Darwin’s Theory. Journal of Nature, 2014(1): 1–9. https://www.doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2014.01.001
Guo J, Xu B, 2021, Lecture Series on Evolution (XXII) Modern Darwinism. Fossils, 2021(2): 53–56. https://www.doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1000-3185.2021.02.011
Portin P, 2014, The Birth and Development of The DNA Theory of Inheritance: Sixty Years Since The Discovery of the Structure of DNA. Journal of Genetics, 93(1): 293–302.
Yin H, 1983, “Punctuated Equilibrium Theory” is Popular in Europe and America: One of the New Trends of Paleontology Abroad. Earth Science, 1983(02): 1–8.
Shu D, Han J, 2020, The Core Values of the Chengjiang Fauna: The Formation of the Animal Kingdom and the Birth
of Basic Human Organs. Frontiers of Geoscience, 27(6): 1–27. https://www.doi.org/10.13745/j.esf.sf.2020.6.15
Luo H, Hu S, et al., 2016, Discovery and Study of the Chengjiang Fauna in Kunming Area. Geology of Yunnan, 35(3): 293–302. https://www.doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1004-1885.2016.03.002
Zhang W, 1997, Cambrian Life Expansion and Significance of Chengjiang Fauna. Geoscience Frontier, 1997(Z2): 121–125.
Shi S, Ding D, 2002, Evolutionary Analysis Method to Determine the Direct Homology. Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 2002(01): 88–94.
Li K, 2016, COXI Protein Molecule Determines the Time of Species Divergence During The “Cambrian Biological Explosion”. Journal of Biology, 33(01): 62–67.
Li K, 2016, Quantitative Calculation of Divergence Time and Main Evolutionary Relationship of Protist Species. Journal of Henan Normal University (Natural Science Edition), 44(3): 115–124. https://www.doi.org/10.16366/j.cnki.1000-2367.2016.03.022
Ji Q, Ji Y, Wang F, et al., 2020, Where do humans come from—— (3) Basic Concepts and Definitions of Human Beings. Journal of Geology, 44(1): 27–33. https://www.doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-3636.2020.h1.002
Sithamparam M, Satthiyasilan N, Chen C, et al., 2022, A Material-Based Panspermia Hypothesis: The Potential of Polymer Gels and Membraneless Droplets. Biopolymers, 113(5): e23486.
Wickramasinghe NC, Wickramasinghe DT, Steele EJ, 2020, Cometary Panspermia and Origin of Life. Advances in Genetics, 106: 5–20.
Wang D, 2003, Research Approaches of Extraterrestrial Life. Abstract Collection of Papers from the 2003 China Conference on Space Life Science and Aerospace Medicine by the Space Life Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Space Sciences, 57.
Kissel J, Krueger FR, Silén J, et al., 2004, The Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyzer at Comet 81P/Wild. Science, 304(5678): 1774–1776.
McGeoch M, Dikler S, McGeoch JEM, 2020, Hemolithin: A Meteoritic Protein Containing Iron and Lithium. ArXiv.
Nakamura E, Kobayashi K, Tanaka R, et al., 2022, On the Origin and Evolution of the Asteroid Ryugu: A Comprehensive Geochemical Perspective. Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B, 98(6): 227–282.
Oba Y, Takano Y, Furukawa Y, et al., 2022, Identifying the wide diversity of extraterrestrial purine and pyrimidine nucleobases in carbonaceous meteorites. Nature Communications, 13(1): 1–10.
Hardy MG, 1993, Sir Alister Hardy and the Aquatic Ape Theory: A Brief Account of His Life. Nutrition and Health, 9(3): 161–164.
Miyake T, Kumamoto M, Iwata M, et al., 2016, The Pectoral Fin Muscles of the Coelacanth Latimeria Chalumnae: Functional and Evolutionary Implications for the Fin-to-Limb Transition and Subsequent Evolution of Tetrapods. Anat Rec (Hoboken). 299(9): 1203–1223.
Chen Y, 2007, A New Theory of Human Origin - Dolphin Theory. Middle School Biology, 23(8): 8–9. https://www.doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-7586.2007.08.004
Liu K, 1988, The Ape Theory “Humans Come from the Sea”. Navigation,1988(02): 38.
Hu C, 1973, Fossils of Ape Human Teeth Discovered in Yuanmou, Yunnan. Journal of Geology, 1973(01): 65–71.
Chen C, Xia J, et al., 2003, Can Longgupo Rewrite the Theory of Human Origin. Guangming Daily?November 30, 2003.
Huang W, 1999, Exploring the Origin of Human Beings through the Longgupo Culture of Congwu Mountain. Journal of Sichuan Three Gorges University, 1999(06): 1–8.
Wu X, 2010, Brief Introduction to Human Origin and Evolution. Nature Magazine, 32(2): 63–66 + 2. https://www.doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2010.02.001
Gao X, Zhang X, et al., 2010, The Regional Diversification Model of The Origin of Modern Chinese and Human Evolution. Chinese Science: Earth Science, 40(9): 1287–1300. https://www.doi.org/10.1007/s11430-010-4099-4
Qiao T, Zhu M, 2010, Brain Morphology of Silurian Meat Fin Fish Guiyu Oneiros. Chinese Science: Earth Science, 40(9): 1191–1203. https://www.doi.org/10.1007/s11430-010-4089-6
Zhao W, 2014, How were the Missing Links in the Evolutionary Chain from Fish to Humans Found. Fossils, (02): 9–20.
Gai Z, Li Q, Ferrón HG, et al., 2022, Galeaspid Anatomy and the Origin of Vertebrate Paired Appendages. Nature, 609: 959–963.
Wu X, 2001, Review of Human Origin Research and Prospect of Paleoanthropology in China Progress in Earth Science, 16(5): 629–633. https://www.doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:1001-8166.2001.05.006