Ancestor Quote by Richard Dawkins
“Molecular evidense suggests that our common ancestor with the chimpanzees lived, in Africa, between 5 and 7 million years ago, say half a million generations ago. This is not long by evolutionary standards.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Greatest Show on Earth, Richard Dawkins, 2009
Evidence shows humans and chimps share a recent common ancestor in Africa, only a few million years ago, which is brief in evolutionary time.
In simple terms: Humans and chimps diverged recently in Africa.
Key Takeaway
Recognize our close kinship with apes.
Themes
evolution
human origins
biology
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
scientific
educational
When to use this quote
- anthropology research
- education
- public talks
- science writing
Key Concepts
common ancestry
genetics
timescales
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this timeline affect our view of humanity?
- What implications does close kinship have for conservation?
A Different Perspective
Human uniqueness is overstated; cultural factors also shape species.
