In Depth

Author

Cunnane SC

Title

The aquatic ape theory reconsidered.

Source

Medical Hypotheses 1980 Jan;6(1):49-58

Abstract

Hardy's Aquatic Ape Theory (AAT) proposes that man progressed phylogenetically to the two-legged hairless creature that he is today via a semi-aquatic diversion which probably began during the Pliocene or perhaps as early as the Miocene era. It revolutionizes the human evolutionary story and in the process, challenges the classical anthropoid theory which has been the dominant theory of evolution since the time of Darwin. Possible reasons for the existance of many of man's previously unexplained characteristics (bipedalism, hairlessness, subcutaneous fat, bradycardia and others) is resolved without the proposal of any new or unreasonable hypotheses. Yet the AAT has been largely ignored. Morris and Morgan have supported the theory in the face of considerable criticism. This paper is a review of the theory and a collection of some of the opposing views presented by contemporary orthodox evolutionists.