I did a little hunting through my CD-ROM National Geographic archive (a good buy, IMHO), and there was a two-page spread kind of like that from the Novemeber 1985 issue. (There were also good articles from February, May, and June 1997; and August 1998)
Keep in mind that there’s been some updating of the science from older issues, and there’s always ongoing scientific debate on this subject. (Things like who was a subspecies of which or not, and whatnot.)
There was also a Scientific American issue a few years back which showcased a bunch of hominid species’ that had branched off from humanity’s ancestors over the ages, but ultimately died out.
Yeah I’m pretty sure they are. Just like poodles are canines. But they still came from a canine line. Like we came from a primate line. Though I think there’s a difference. Primate is an order and canidae is a family.
Blah, this is all confusing and so much to know…
Maybe I’ll just tell her Jesus did it and leave it at that.
Jokes aside, thanks much to everyone who posted here. It’s helped clear up some (but not nearly all) of my own misconceptions and has given me a better idea how to handle this situation in a way that’s age appropriate for her. Thx to Duck Duck Goose for the extra advice regarding “Calm down, already!”
Steve, don’t make yourself crazy about the “primate” thing, Eleusis was jes’ pickin’ a nit there.
Yes, humans are primates, Order Primates, Family Hominidae.
Chart here, which almost immediately manages to render itself useless by noting cheerfully, "The taxonomy of the Primate Order is likely to be modified over the next few years as a result of the discovery of new species and the use of DNA sequencing data. At present, there are differences of opinion as to the placement of some species. "
Do tell.
But anyway, you can show the chart to Kiddo to prove that people are monkeys, too. And be sure you tell her about how King Philip Called Out Fifty Good Soldiers; Nine-year-olds appreciate that kind of thing.
Then you can tell her how Mary’s Violet Eyes Make Jack Stay Up Nights Perhaps.
There is a whole truckload of info on early hominids here. Illustrations, many many links. If it was me, I’d let her sit next to me at the computer and scroll slowly down this website, and let her stop where she sees something interesting. Not a “teaching session” as such, but more of a springboard for discussion.
The pictures of changes in early hominid skulls will do more to explain evolution than anything.
I don’t know the Atlanta area at all…is there a good Natural History or Science museum down there? Such a place would probably have a lot of info and exhibits to help in this area (and would probably be a fun place to visit with the kid in any case).
You might try contacting the Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta. Evolution isn’t their thing, but cosmology is – if you want to look into the validity of “young earth” theories – and I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone there who can point you to local resources.
