Scientists Back Off of Ardi Claims | The Institute for Creation Research

Scientists Back Off of Ardi Claims

In May 2009, a remarkably well-preserved extinct primate, nicknamed "Ida," was hailed as one of the most important fossil finds ever. It had features that some interpreted as a link between two primate body forms. At the time, ICR News suggested that its evolutionary significance was far overblown, predicting that the scientific consensus would offer retractions. Those retractions came three months later, confirming that the fossil―called Darwinius―was really just an extinct lemur variety.1

In October, Ardipithecus, another extinct primate, was given wide coverage. Represented by a reconstructed female fossil dubbed "Ardi," it was described in the journal Science as a four-foot-tall, upright-walking ape that was significant to human evolution.2 Some experts not only doubted that the evidence pointed to upright walking, but they also saw strong evidence that it was, in fact, not a walker at all.3

Predictably, the claims that Ardipithecus walked upright are now under increased scrutiny. Scientific American stated that in contrast to promoters of Ardi’s upright walking ability, "many others in the field propose that some of these statements may be overblown. In fact, [William] Jungers [of Stony Brook University Medical Center] says, ’I think some of the things they said might have been for effect.’"4

In November, ICR reported that the key to Ardi’s significance to human evolution was her status as an upright walker, and that hinged on the angle of her hips.5 But given the poor condition of her meager hip bone fragments, as well as the amount of interpretation that the original authors admitted they used in the hip reconstruction (along with any interpretive license that they did not admit to), there is plenty of room for doubt that her hips were reconstructed accurately in their depiction of an upright-walking configuration. Confirming this, Jungers told Scientific American that this effort "requires a lot of guesswork."4

After having had time to review the evidence, Jungers said, "[Ardi] really doesn’t show any adaptations for bipedalism at all."4 And without bipedalism, or an upright walking structure, Ardi, along with the previously proclaimed "missing link" fossils Lucy and Ida, belongs exactly where a straightforward reading of Genesis would suggest―in the ranks of non-human animals that were each uniquely created within their own kinds.

References

  1. Specifically, "Ida is following the same well-worn chain of events. She has been promoted as a ’missing link’ with widespread media hype. After further study, however, this claim will be quietly rescinded." From Thomas, B. New Fossil Hype Fits Old Pattern. ICR News. Posted on icr.org May 27, 2009, accessed November 30, 2009.
  2. For example, "Ar. ramidus was already well-adapted to bipedality." See Lovejoy, C. O. 2009. Reexamining Human Origins in Light of Ardipithecus ramidus. Science. 326(5949): 74e1.
  3. Shreeve, J. Oldest Skeleton of Human Ancestor Found. National Geographic News. Posted on nationalgeographic.com October 1, 2009, accessed November 30, 2009.
  4. Harmon, K. How Humanlike was "Ardi"? Scientific American. Posted on scientificamerican.com November 19, 2009, accessed November 25, 2009.
  5. Thomas, B. Did Humans Evolve From ’Ardi’? Acts & Facts. 38 (11): 8-9.

Ardi image adapted from White, T. D. 2009. Ardipithecus ramidus and the Paleobiology of Early Hominids. Science. 326 (5949) 64, 75-86. (This image is used for non-profit educational presentation purposes only.)

* Mr. Thomas is Science Writer at the Institute for Creation Research.

Article posted on December 4, 2009.

The Latest
NEWS
Earth-Sized Lava World ''Circling the Drain''
Astronomers have discovered an earth-sized exoplanet, designated TOI-2431 b, that is so close to its host star that it completes a full orbit in just...

NEWS
Origin of Biofluorescence in Fishes
Biofluorescence is a phenomenon in which creatures—plant or animal—absorb light at a certain wavelength and release or emit it at a different...

NEWS
August 2025 ICR Wallpaper
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9 NKJV) ICR's August...

NEWS
Quietly ''Devolving'' Tomatoes?
Apparently, evolution (and natural selection) can do almost anything: If new forms appear, the credit goes to creative natural selection; if old...

CREATION PODCAST
Five Unforgettable Lessons Learned from the Scopes Trial | The...
The Scopes Trial is one of the most famous court cases in American history, and this year marks its one hundredth anniversary....

NEWS
Yet Another Revised Age for the Land-Animal Ancestor
An allegedly vital piece of animal evolution was first discovered in 1984 in Scotland. Conventional scientists suggested the fossil of Westlothiana...

NEWS
Dr. James S. Johnson Goes Home to the Lord
Dr. James S. Johnson, chief academic officer and associate professor of apologetics for ICR’s School of Biblical Apologetics (SOBA), joined his...

NEWS
Pluto’s Largest Moon Looks Young
When the New Horizons space probe captured images of Pluto and its large moon Charon as it flew by in 2015, conventional scientists were surprised by...

NEWS
55-Million-Year-Old Tree Frog…Is Still a Tree Frog
In the 1990s, Australian paleontologists discovered fossil frog bones during a dig in Murgon, Queensland.1 This new species of frog—Litoria...

NEWS
Pastor and Longtime ICR Supporter Dr. John MacArthur Now with...
Faithful ICR supporter and pastor Dr. John MacArthur went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 14, 2025, completing his 86-year pilgrimage.1...