In Depth

Author

Verhaegen M

Title

Aquatic versus Savanna: comparative and paleo-environmental evidence.

Source

Nutrition & Health 1993;9(3):161-4

Abstract

This paper begins by comparing anatomical and physiological features of humans and other groups of mammals (apes and arboreal mammals, open-country dwellers, fully aquatic mammals, and semi-aquatics), in order to establish the nature of the environment where Homo originated. It concludes that the evidence completely invalidates the savanna theory and strongly favours the semi-aquatic hypothesis. The second part points out that nothing in the fossil record disproves this conclusion, and quotes paleo-environmental evidence concerning the milieu where the ancient hominids fossilized.