DAMASCUS, Syria, Sept. 14, 2008
(AP) Archaeologists have unearthed a camel jawbone in Syria that might belong to an undiscovered tiny species of the desert-cruising animal and - at a million years old - be the oldest camel remains ever found.Million-Year-Old Camel Bone Found In Syria
Archaeologists Who Discovered Giant Camel Bones Last Year Uncover A Tiny Species Believed To Be The Oldest Known
The jawbone was uncovered last month near the village of Khowm in the Palmyra region, about 150 miles northeast of the capital, Damascus, said Heba al-Sakhel, one of the leaders of the team of Syrian and Swiss archaeologists.
Last year, the same mission discovered the bones of a giant camel in Syria dating back 100,000 years. That animal, dubbed the "Syrian Camel" by its discoverers, stood between three and four meters tall - about twice the size of latter-day camels and the height at the shoulder of many African elephants.
The new find, along with the remains of the giant camel, could offer important clues about the animal's evolution, the researchers said.
Quote
"It is a very important discovery," said Jean-Marie Le Tensorer, who leads the Swiss side of the team. He said it is the oldest camel bone to be unearthed in the Middle East and probably worldwide.Until now, the evolution of camels has been absolutely unknown in the world.
Archaeologist, Jean-Marie Le TensorerHe added in an interview Saturday that the camel appears to be very small and could be a new species but more studies were needed to confirm that.
"The camel is very small in comparison with the normal camel," he said. "But we have to find more bones, different remains, before we can be sure it is a new species."
Le Tensorer said the find also confirms that the origin of the camel is the Arabian desert, from which it migrated to other parts of the world.
Le Tensorer says all these discoveries contribute to understanding the evolution of dromedaries and other members of the camel family.
"Until now, the evolution of camels has been absolutely unknown in the world," Le Tensorer said. "In central Syria, we have several sites with a long stratigraphic sequence - about 1 million years. We can see the evolution of these animals."
He said the team is searching for more camel remains.
Al-Sakhel, who is also head of the Syrian National Museum, said the site is an archaeological treasure trove and contains many layers that are the oldest of the prehistoric era in Syria.
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- "God provides the materials in nature for medical personnel to help others. This has been going on since the beginning of time."
You mean like the syringe tree? It also helps heroin dealers. - Reply to this comment
- The Bible gives reference to gobs of medical needs. God provides the materials in nature for medical personnel to help others. This has been going on since the beginning of time.
Posted by StopSocialis at 03:17 PM : Sep 16, 2008
I agree people have been researching natural materials for centuries in an effort to help others. I.e. scientific research. It''s an ongoing endeavor. The bible doesn''t say anything about how to cure cancer or even freeze a wart off your hand. - Reply to this comment
- I said DARWINISM, not "all" of science.
Posted by StopSocialis at 03:15 PM : Sep 16, 2008
Evolution is intimately tied to Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy, Cosmology, Archeology, Genetics, Molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, botany, ecology, paleontology, physics, mathematics... need I go on. All branches of science rely on principles that are used to research items involving evolution and/or the age of the earth. You can try to put science in a box to meet the creationist definition, but that is naive. - Reply to this comment
- Posted by StopSocialis
You''ve got to be singinrick. I''ve had all these arguments with you before. I''ve actually even given you some credit for sticking to your guns in the face of overwhelming evidence. No I agree you''re not as dumb as a rock on this score - politics yes, but not evolution/creationism. Just provided it never shows up in a school that my kid goes to, and you realize that your kids will never get anywhere in science, you believe your story and I''ll believe my science and we''ll agree to differ. - Reply to this comment
- Dumb Rock???? Arent you dummy liberals the one''''s that said that intelligence started from 2 rocks exploding together?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. You dork....
Posted by GCSJOY
No, we''re the pond scum people. Rocks are still dumb. - Reply to this comment
- Where did I say this my friend? Did I say "all of science?" Of course not. So as usual, you evolutionists lie to cover your case.
I said DARWINISM, not "all" of science.
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Posted by StopSocialis at 03:15 PM : Sep 16, 2008
Evolutionay biology is a scientific discipline like any other. Those who subscribe to evolution do not "believe" in it persay. We have a level of confidence in the theory proportional to the amount of evidence available to support it. So, your argument is not with Darwinists, but with the evidence. Please, if you would, find another explentation for the fossil record, geology, and the information stored in your own GENOME!! If you can do that succesfully, I will subscribe to biblical literalism in a hearbeat. In the meantime...I will listen to that book when appropriate, and observe the world for the story it tells to fill in the details that the bible either glosses over, or makes sound like a scary bedtime story. - Reply to this comment
- GOD is the ENGINEER of this universe and all living things.
Without Him, nothing exists.
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Posted by StopSocialis at 03:19 PM : Sep 16, 2008
Prove it. If you can''t, you are making an assumption that you can''t reasonable expect everyone else to subscribe to. - Reply to this comment
- Oh God you''''re one of those. No wonder talking to you is like talking to a dumb rock as I pointed out on another thread earlier.
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Posted by usclimey
Dumb Rock???? Arent you dummy liberals the one''s that said that intelligence started from 2 rocks exploding together?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. You dork.... - Reply to this comment
- Caliengineer - how did you get to be an engineer when you must have failed every physics, chemistry, biology and geology class you ever took?
Posted by usclimey at 01:09 PM : Sep 16, 2008
A "sanitation engineer" does not require those classes. - Reply to this comment
- Caliengineer - how did you get to be an engineer when you must have failed every physics, chemistry, biology and geology class you ever took?
- Reply to this comment
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