4.1 Mystery Man PDF - Required reading assignment PDF

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Minji Suh Professor O’Connell HBIO 200 4.1 Mystery Man Summary In 2013, two recreational cave divers named Steven Tucker and Rick Hunter discovered fossils in the Rising Star caves of South Africa. These fossils were found in an extremely cramped space of the cave. Had both Tucker and Hunter not had such slender frames, the fossils may have never been uncovered. The paleontologist Lee Berger who asked cavers to look out for fossils is described in the article as “a big-boned American”. Most scientists at the time were indifferent to South Africa as it related to the evolutionary story. Berger hired petite young women who he called “underground astronauts” to help him excavate the fossils found by Tucker and Hunter. It soon became evident that there were several skeletons in the cave. The excavation removed approximately 1,200 bones, 1,550 specimens, and at least 15 individuals. Furthermore, all of the fossils were outstandingly preserved. In his desire to release information as quickly as possible, Berger called upon more than 30 young scientists to help analyze the fossils. Although they all agreed that the fossils belong to the Homo genus, H. naledi was unlike any of the other species. Berger was recognized for his discoveries by his colleagues at a conference hosted by Richard Leakey. Highlight I thought it was interesting that someone must have stumbled upon the fossils before Tucker and Hunter given the arrangement of the bones. It makes you wonder when and who. Question How are the fossils so unscathed and well-preserved?...