# Human Evolution (again) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 24, 2000, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-evolution-again/20367 "2000-05-24T03:48:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malinthas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Malinthas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malinthas)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2000, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-evolution-again/20367/1 "2000-05-24T03:48:06Z")
I have heard the theory that HomoSapiens (or a distant ancestor) returned to the water at some point during our evolution. This is supposedly supported by vestigal finger- and toe-webbing, noses that channel water away, and our hair follicles all following the flow pattern of water over our bodies. So, did we go the way of the dolphin for a while? ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2000, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-evolution-again/20367/2 "2000-05-24T04:32:44Z")
Ah… the Aquatic Ape Hypothesis. A controversial theory to say the least. [Here](http://www.riverapes.com/AAT.html) is a site with lots of links, mostly in support of the theory. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2000, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-evolution-again/20367/3 "2000-05-24T10:32:31Z")
For what it’s worth, _The Aquatic Ape_ by Elaine Morgan makes for very entertaining reading, if not 100% convincing. There does seem to be a fair amount of circumstantial evidence in favor of the hypothesis, but it’s all rather unsatisfying. I like to keep an open mind, but not so much that my brains fall out.