The Big Picture (putting it all together)

[Trinityz1]

Missing link found? Scientists unveil fossil of 47 million-year-old primate, Darwinius masillae
BY SAMANTHA STRONG AND RICH SCHAPIRO
DAILY NEWS WRITERS
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Feast your eyes on what a group of scientists call the Holy Grail of human evolution.

A team of researchers Tuesday unveiled an almost perfectly intact fossil of a 47 million-year-old primate they say represents the long-sought missing link between humans and apes.

Officially known as Darwinius masillae, the fossil of the lemur-like creature dubbed Ida shows it had opposable thumbs like humans and fingernails instead of claws.

Scientists say the cat-sized animal's hind legs offer evidence of evolutionary changes that led to primates standing upright - a breakthrough that could finally confirm Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-05-19/news/17922526_1_human-evolution-missing-link-jorn-hurum