Researchers have dated the oldest Neanderthal fossils to more than 200,000 years ago. But it is not just the Neanderthals that are changing the Church's position. Our own species, Homo sapiens has been dated to around 180,000 years ago, and this has now been confirmed by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis and by analysis of male-only DNA in the Y chromosome (genetic material with no equivalent in the X chromosome). And predecessor hominin fossils have now been discovered, back to more than 6 million years ago. The Catholic Church's evolving stance on these discoveries can be seen by the following: Pope Pius XII stated in his encyclical Humani Generis (1950) that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith and that he considered the doctrine of "evolutionism" a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis; Pope John Paul II, in an address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (1996), said that new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis; Pope Benedict has refused to endorse "intelligent design" theories, instead backing "theistic evolution" which considers that God created life through evolution with no clash between religion and science.
The Catholic Church does not have an official position on the age of the Earth or the timeline of human existence. The Church allows for a variety of viewpoints on this topic, including the acceptance of scientific evidence for the existence of Neanderthals and an Earth that is several billion years old. The Church's focus is on theological truths rather than scientific details.
Researchers have dated the oldest Neanderthal fossils to more than 200,000 years ago. But it is not just the Neanderthals that are changing the Church's position. Our own species, Homo sapiens has been dated to around 180,000 years ago, and this has now been confirmed by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis and by analysis of male-only DNA in the Y chromosome (genetic material with no equivalent in the X chromosome). And predecessor hominin fossils have now been discovered, back to more than 6 million years ago.
The Catholic Church's evolving stance on these discoveries can be seen by the following:
Pope Pius XII stated in his encyclical Humani Generis (1950) that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith and that he considered the doctrine of "evolutionism" a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis; Pope John Paul II, in an address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (1996), said that new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis; Pope Benedict has refused to endorse "intelligent design" theories, instead backing "theistic evolution" which considers that God created life through evolution with no clash between religion and science.
For more information, please visit: http://christianity.answers.com/theology/the-story-of-creation
Australopithecines appeared on Earth before Homo habilis, Neanderthals, and Homo sapiens.
The order in which these species appeared on Earth is australopithecines, homo habilis, homo erectus, neanderthals, and finally homo sapiens. Each of these species represents different stages of human evolution, with homo sapiens being the most recent and the only surviving species.
Neanderthals lived on Earth for about 350,000 to 40,000 years ago. They are an extinct species of humans that are closely related to modern humans.
Neanderthals first appeared around 400,000 years ago and went extinct about 40,000 years ago, so they lived on Earth for approximately 360,000 years.
Neanderthals appeared on Earth before modern Homo sapiens, with fossil evidence suggesting they existed between 400,000 and 40,000 years ago. They inhabited Europe and parts of Asia, coexisting with modern humans for a period of time before going extinct.
the Earth goes around the Sun....just like everyone else thinks.
Neanderthals first appeared around 400,000 years ago and went extinct around 40,000 years ago. They coexisted and interacted with early modern humans for a significant period of time before eventually dying out.
It have trees and water and aminls and insets people stores schools churchs
Neanderthals appeared on Earth before modern Homo sapiens, with fossil evidence suggesting they existed between 400,000 and 40,000 years ago. They inhabited Europe and parts of Asia, coexisting with modern humans for a period of time before going extinct.
They started evolving about 600,000 years ago. They were fully developed as Neanderthals 130,000 years ago.
No, Neanderthals and modern humans shared a common ancestor but evolved separately. Neanderthals are a distinct human species that lived in Europe and Asia before going extinct around 40,000 years ago. Modern humans, Homo sapiens, evolved in Africa and migrated out of the continent, eventually spreading and replacing Neanderthals.
Neanderthals first appeared around 400,000 years ago and went extinct about 40,000 years ago, so they lived on Earth for approximately 360,000 years.
From 130,000 years ago until 27,000 years ago.
Neanderthals lived on Earth for about 350,000 to 40,000 years ago. They are an extinct species of humans that are closely related to modern humans.
How may the Earth's position in space be related to the cycle of extinctions on earth
It is believed that music began back in the prehistoric times. It is said to have started with natural sounds of earth that were pleasing to the Neanderthals.
No, the position of the Moon and the Sun as OBSERVED from the Earth.