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    The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis
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    The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis
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    The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis
    Ebook256 pages3 hours

    The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis

    By Elaine Morgan

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Why do humans differ from other primates? What do those differences tell us about human evolution? Elaine Morgan gives a revolutionary hypothesis that explains our anatomic anomalies—why we walk on two legs, why we are covered in fat, why we can control our rate of breathing. The answers point to one conclusion: millions of years ago our ancestors were trapped in a semi-aquatic environment. In presenting her case Elaine Morgan forces scientists to question accepted theories of human evolution, while expressing complex ideas for the general reader in a clear and accessible style. A documentary by Sir David Attenborough, The Waterside Ape, is based on Morgan's Aquatic Ape Hypothesis.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSouvenir Press
    Release dateMar 31, 2017
    ISBN9780285639812
    Unavailable
    The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis
    Author

    Elaine Morgan

    Elaine Morgan was born in 1920, and after studying at Oxford University, worked as a television writer. In 1972, she published The Descent of Woman suggesting that human evolution had an aquatic origin. This idea was attacked at first by scientists but the book became an international bestseller. In the decades since, Morgan's aquatic ape hypothesis has gained widespread support. She died in 2013.

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    Reviews for The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis

    4/5

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    • 5/5
      This book makes the case that humans evolved in watery environments and our physical characteristics reflect this heritage. These characteristics include our relative absence of hair, bipedalism, relatively high body fat percentage, nose shape, location of the larynx, and possibly even our present-day affinity for lake shores and seashores, among others. The author, Elaine Morgan, examines the arguments for and against the proposition that these morphological features were due to selective adaptation to aquatic environments. Along the way she provides evidence against the savannah theory, the idea that humans evolved due to adaptation to grassland. She makes a persuasive case for the aquatic ape hypothesis. I admired her attention to detail, readiness to discuss alternative hypotheses, and ability to weigh the evidence dispassionately. I learned many fascinating aspects of comparative human physiology.
    • 4/5
      An interesting set of ideas, but not ones I am qualified to give an opinion on. Definitely worth a read if you are interested in human evolution.