By Eloï Ducasse
Differences and variations witnessed in fossil remains that are thought to be of different species due to their geographic location could possibly be misinterpreted cases of notable physical variations within the same species.
Homo Sapiens - The One Who Knows
Even long before Darwin published his most notorious and polemic piece, the same everlasting question has been left unanswered by science: where do we come from?
To a certain extent, so much is known and yet so much is still ought to be discovered. Humans are undeniably primates, but our genealogic tree is not so simple.
The genus homo is believed to have diversified in a complex branching of various traits and characteristics. But scientists can only gather tangible data from bone remains and other artefacts in archeological findings.
A Bone To Pick
A vast majority of currently living species display physical variations between sexes known as sexual dimorphism. Another witnessable occurrence of such morphological differences also find its roots at a molecular level and is defined as polymorphism.
In humans, morphological differences between different individuals can be compared to a rainbow of variety. However in contrast to our closest relatives, humans tend to have a low degree of facial sexual dimorphism for instance.
When it comes to determining and classifying fossils, the task can be seen as herculean. Different characteristics have to be taken in consideration and compared to other identified specimens in order to establish the most accurate taxonomy.
The idea that each individual is unique with some of their traits shared among other related individuals can cause debate within the scientific community. For instance, specimens of our own lineage that are currently thought to be of a different species might actually belong to the same one to some extent.
Skeletons In The Closet
For now, science might not be able to come to a concrete conclusion about our origins but with every new archaeological find whether it be remains, footprints, relics etc… Every discovery offers new and further insights on our own evolutive history and ultimately what makes us human.
In such, in our quest for truth and understanding, we are retelling the story of life and death accompanied by the echoes of the symphony of a Danse Macabre.
