The Theory of Evolution states that modern man evolved from the ape family. This can not be verified as the 'missing link' has not as yet been found. There is no conclusive evidence to prove that man evolved from apes. Footprints of modern man have been found side by side with dinosaur tracks. Archeological evidence exists that contradicts this theory of 'the origin of man'. Modern human artifacts have been found in all layers of geological strata some going back hundreds of millions of years. These artifacts prove that modern man may be million of years older than history tells us. Paleontology

In biology, evolution is the change in the heritable traits of a population over successive generations, as determined by the shifting allele frequencies of genes. Evolution is ultimately the source of the vast diversity of life: all contemporary organisms are related to each other through common descent, products of cumulative evolutionary changes over billions of years. Over time, new species evolve from existing species through speciation, and other species become extinct, resulting in the ever-changing biological world reflected in the fossil record.

The basic mechanisms that produce evolutionary change are natural selection (which includes ecological and sexual selection) and genetic drift acting on the genetic variation created by mutation, genetic recombination and gene flow. Natural selection is the process by which individual organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. If those traits are heritable, they pass them to their offspring, with the result that beneficial heritable traits become more common in the next generation. Given enough time, this passive process can result in varied adaptations to changing environmental conditions.

The modern understanding of evolution is based on the theory of natural selection, which was first set out in a joint 1858 paper by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace and popularized in Darwin's 1859 book The Origin of Species.

In the 1930s, scientists combined Darwinian natural selection with the theory of Mendelian heredity to form the modern evolutionary synthesis, also known as "Neo-Darwinism". The modern synthesis describes evolution as a change in the frequency of alleles within a population from one generation to the next. This theory has become the central organizing principle of modern biology, relating directly to topics such as the origin of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, eusociality in insects, and the staggering biodiversity of the living world.

Because of its potential implications for the origins of humankind, evolutionary theory has been at the center of many social and religious controversies since its inception.

Continued Wikipedia

Humans Are Still Evolving, Study Says   Live Science - October 4, 2011
Humans, like all other organisms on Earth, are subject to the pressures of evolution. New research suggests that even in relatively modern societies, humans are still changing and evolving in response to the environment.

Climatic Fluctuations Drove Key Events in Human Evolution, Researchers Find   Science Daily - September 26, 2011
Research at the University of Liverpool has found that periods of rapid fluctuation in temperature coincided with the emergence of the first distant relatives of human beings and the appearance and spread of stone tools.

  Skull points to a more complex human evolution in Africa   BBC - September 16, 2011
Professor Chris Stringer compares one of the 13,000-year-old skulls (centre) with modern (l) and ancient (r) African fossils. Scientists have collected more evidence to suggest that ancient and modern humans interbred in Africa. Reanalysis of the 13,000-year-old skull from a cave in West Africa reveals a skull more primitive-looking than its age suggests.

Pre-human fossils viewed as 'game-changer' for evolution   MSNBC - September 8, 2011
An analysis of 2 million-year-old bones found in South Africa offers the most powerful case so far in identifying the transitional figure that came before modern humans Ñ findings some are calling a potential game-changer in understanding evolution.

Complex Life Emerged from Sea Earlier Than Thought   Live Science - April 14, 2011
Life on Earth began in the oceans, but new fossils are showing that complex algae-like organisms left these salty seas earlier than thought, about 1 billion years ago, and spent more time evolving on land.

A new evolutionary history of primates   PhysOrg - March 17, 2011
A robust new phylogenetic tree resolves many long-standing issues in primate taxonomy. The genomes of living primates harbor remarkable differences in diversity and provide an intriguing context for interpreting human evolution. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted by international researchers to determine the origin, evolution, patterns of speciation, and unique features in genome divergence among primate lineages.

New plant species gives insights into evolution   PhysOrg - March 17, 2011
A new University of Florida study shows when two flowering plants are crossed to produce a new hybrid, the new species' genes are reset, allowing for greater genetic variation.

New Statistical Model Moves Human Evolution Back Three Million Years   Science Daily - November 6, 2010
Evolutionary divergence of humans and chimpanzees likely occurred some 8 million years ago rather than the 5 million year estimate widely accepted by scientists, a new statistical model suggests.

How plants drove animals to the land   PhysOrg - September 30, 2010
A new study of ancient oxygen levels presents the first concrete evidence that after aquatic plants evolved and boosted the levels of oxygen aquatic life exploded, leading to fierce competition that eventually led some fish to try to survive on land.

Animal- Human Connection: Crucial in Human Evolution   Science Daily - July 21, 2010

New hypothesis for human evolution and human nature   PhysOrg - July 21, 2010
... the interdependency of ancestral humans with other animal species - "the animal connection" - played a crucial and beneficial role in human evolution over the last 2.6 million years.

  South African fossils could be new hominid species   BBC - April 9, 2010
The remarkable remains of two ancient human-like creatures (hominids) have been found in South Africa.
"Key" Human Ancestor Found: Fossils Link Apes, First Humans?   National Geographic - April 8, 2010

An Australopithecus sediba skull bears both human and ape traits. New species of early hominid found   PhysOrg - April 6, 2010

Scientists reveal driving force behind evolution   PhysOrg - February 25, 2010

Intelligent people have 'unnatural' preferences and values that are novel in human evolution   PhysOrg - February 25, 2010

DNA evidence tells 'global story' of human history   PhysOrg - February 22, 2010

Cultural views of evolution can have important ethical implications   PhysOrg - February 21, 2010

Evolution may take giant leaps   PhysOrg - December 12, 2009
A new study of thousands of species of plants and animals suggests new species may arise from rare events instead of through an accumulation of small changes made in response to changes in the environment.

Feeding birds 'changes evolution'   BBC - December 3, 2009

Mammoth dung unravels extinction   BBC - November 19, 2009

The Future of Evolution: What Will We Become?   Live Science - November 16, 2009

Reproduction: Why Having A Mate Provides An Evolutionary Advantage Over Self-fertilization   Science Daily - October 22, 2009

The first men and women from the Canary Islands were Berbers   PhysOrg - October 21, 2009

Are humans still evolving? Absolutely, says new analysis of long-term survey of human health   PhysOrg - October 19, 2009

Time in a bottle: Scientists watch evolution unfold   PhysOrg - October 18, 2009

"Darwin's Wing" Fills Evolution Gap   National Geographic - October 14, 2009

Ratchet-like genetic mutations make evolution irreversible   PhysOrg - September 24, 2009

Evolution Can't Go Backward   Live Science - September 24, 2009

Research team finds first evolutionary branching for bilateral animals   PhysOrg - September 23, 2009

Three human genes evolved from junk   New Scientist - September 3, 2009

New Understanding of the Heart's Evolution   Live Science - September 3, 2009
First genetic link between reptile and human heart evolution   PhysOrg - September 2, 2009

Why Did People Become White?   Live Science - September 2, 2009

Humans Walked After Tree-Climbing Era, Study Indicates   Live Science - August 10, 2009

Extinct Walking Bat Found; Upends Evolutionary Theory   National Geographic - August 10, 2009

Mobile DNA elements in woolly mammoth genome give new clues to mammalian evolution   PhysOrg - June 8, 2009

"Human"-Faced Missing Link Found in Spain?   National Geographic - June 11, 2009

An 11.9-million-year-old fossil ape species with an unusually flat, "surprisingly human" face has been found in Spain.

  Scientists hail stunning fossil of a 47-million-year-old, lemur-like creature   BBC - May 19, 2009
  Ida ... 'Missing link' primate likely to stir debate   MSNBC - May 19, 2009
Blog: Myth of the Missing Link   Live Science - May 20, 2009
Blog: Why 'Ida' Inspires Navel-Gazing at Our Ancestry   Live Science - May 20, 2009
Ancient Human Ancestor 'Ida' Discovered - Missing Link?   Live Science - May 19, 2009
New Fossil Primate Links Humans, Lemurs?   National Geographic - May 19, 2009

Common Ancestor Of Humans, Modern Primates? 'Extraordinary' Fossil Is 47 Million Years Old   Science Daily - May 19, 2009
In what could prove to be a landmark discovery, a leading paleontologist said scientists have dug up the 47 million-year-old fossil of an ancient primate whose features suggest it could be the common ancestor of all later monkeys, apes and humans.

Ten fossils that evolved the tale of our origins MSNBC - October 17, 2008

Details Of Evolutionary Transition From Fish To Land Animals Revealed Science Daily - October 16, 2008

Ten fossils that evolved the tale of our origins MSNBC - October 17, 2008

Fish With First Neck Evolved Into Land Animal -- Slowly National Geographic - October 15, 2008
Details Of Evolutionary Transition From Fish To Land Animals Revealed Science Daily - October 16, 2008

Evolutionary Origin Of Mammalian Gene Regulation Is Over 150 Million Years Old Science Daily - July 3, 2008

'Mitochondrial Eve' Research: Humanity Was Genetically Divided For 100,000 Years Science Daily - May 16, 2008

Reason For Almost Two Billion Year Delay In Animal Evolution On Earth Discovered Science Daily - March 27, 2008

Geologists Say 'Wall Of Africa' Allowed Humanity To Emerge Science Daily - December 22, 2007

Mountains of Evidence Suggest Human Evolution Had Rocky Start Live Science - December 20, 2007

Primitive early relative of armadillos helps rewrite evolutionary family tree PhysOrg - December 12, 2007

Human Evolution Speeding Up, Study Says National Geographic - December 11, 2007
Human evolution is 'speeding up' BBC - December 11, 2007

Finds test human origins theory BBC - August 8, 2007
Two hominid fossils discovered in Kenya are challenging a long-held view of human evolution

Scientists turn to chimpanzees to solve the mystery of our cultural roots MSNBC - August 9, 2007

Greatest Mysteries: How Did Human Culture Evolve? Live Science - August 9, 2007

Kenyan Fossils May Add New Branch to Human Family Tree National Geographic - August 8, 2007

Finds test human origins theory BBC - August 8, 2007
Two hominid fossils discovered in Kenya are challenging a long-held view of human evolution.

Elephants, Human Ancestors Evolved in Synch, DNA Reveals National Geographic - July 24, 2007

From Jaw to Ear: Transition Fossil Reveals Ear Evolution in Action Scientific American - March 15, 2007

No sex for 40 million years? No problem EurekAlert - March 19, 2007

Surprising Pace of Evolution and Extinction Revealed Live Science - March 16, 2007

Species evolve faster in cooler climates New Scientist - March 16, 2007

Interspecies Sex: Evolution's Hidden Secret? National Geographic - March 15, 2007

Robo-salamander's evolution clues BBC - March 9, 2007
A robot is being used to investigate how the first land animals on Earth might have walked

Evolution Getting Faster Thanks to Germs, Viruses, Study Says National Geographic - March 7, 2007

Researchers Study Formation Of Chemical Precursors to Life PhysOrg - August 7, 2006

Evolution Reversed in Mice BBC - August 7, 2006
US researchers have taken a mouse back in time some 500 million years by reversing the process of evolution.

Fossil Fish With "Limbs" Is Missing Link, Study Says National Geographic - April 6, 2006

Arctic fossils mark move to land BBC - April 5, 2006

Fossil animals found in Arctic Canada provide a snapshot of fish evolving into land animals, scientists say. The finds are giving researchers a fascinating insight into this key stage in the evolution of life on Earth.

Ancient skull found in Ethiopia BBC - March 27, 2006

Fossil hunters in Ethiopia have unearthed an ancient skull which they say could be a "missing link" between Homo erectus and modern people.

Evolution Predictable Everywhere in the Universe, Scientist Says Live Science - March 14, 2006

Human Genome Shows Proof of Recent Evolution, Survey Finds National Geographic - March 8, 2006

Most Ashkenazi Jews From Four Women Live Science - January 13, 2006
Some 3.5 million of today's Ashkenazi Jews - about 40 percent of the total Ashkenazi population - are descended from just four women, a genetic study indicates.

Evolution Revolution: Two Species Become One National Geographic - July 27, 2005

Butterfly unlocks evolution secret BBC - July 24, 2005

Human evolution at the crossroads MSNBC - May 2, 2005 Genetics, cybernetics complicate forecast for species

Scientists Find Portal To Show Animals Evolve Science Daily - February 2005

Earliest Bilateral Fossil Discovered Astrobiology - June 2004

Scientists have reported that bilateral animals appeared 600 million years ago, about 50 million years before the Cambrian Explosion. Before the Cambrian 550 million years ago, most life on Earth was composed of bacteria and single-celled animals. But then something happened to cause an "explosion" of complex multi-cellular body forms. Scientists have long been puzzled about why this burst of diversity occurred. Some have suggested that a sudden rise in oxygen allowed larger and more complex life forms to appear and develop. Others have suggested that animal complexity started long before the Cambrian, and that we had only failed to find fossil evidence of it.

Prehistoric DNA to Help Solve Human-Evolution Mysteries? National Geographic - March 2004

Evolution's Twist: USC Study Finds Meat-tolerant Genes Offset High Cholesterol And Disease Science Daily - March 2004

Snake Ancestors Lost Limbs on Land, Study Says National Geographic - February 2004

Availability of Oxygen Triggered The Evolution Of Complex Life Forms Space Daily - February 2004

Cave colours reveal mental leap BBC - December 2003
Red-stained bones dug up in a cave in Israel are prompting researchers to speculate that symbolic thought emerged much earlier than they had believed. Symbolic thought - the ability to let one thing represent another - was a giant leap in human evolution. It was a mental ability that allowed sophisticated language and maths.

Scientists Find Evolution Of Life Helped Keep Earth Habitable Science Daily - October 2003

Worms hold 'eternal life' secret BBC - October 2003

Key human chromosome unravelled BBC - October 2003

Ancient organism challenges cell evolution BBC - June 2003
Scientists have found an organelle - an enclosed free-floating specialized structure - inside a primitive cell for the first time.

Chimps genetically close to humans BBC - May 2003

The creativity gene that maketh man BBC - February 2003
A single mutation in a "creativity" gene less than 100,000 years ago led to the rapid development of art and culture and the ascent of Man

All humans are descended from a single man who lived in Africa around 60,000 years ago National Geographic - February 2003 -

1.8 Million-Year-Old Hominid Jaw Found National Geographic - February 2003

Fossil find stirs human debate BBC - February 2003
The fossil of an early human-like creature (hominid) from southern Africa is raising fresh questions about our origins.

Documentary Redraws Humans' Family Tree January 2003 - National Geographic
By analyzing DNA from people in all regions of the world, geneticist Spencer Wells has concluded that all humans alive today are descended from a single man who lived in Africa around 6,000 years ago

13,000 year old Human skulls are 'oldest Americans' BBC - December 2002

Life 'began on the ocean floor' BBC - December 2002

Atlas maps the web of life BBC - August 2002

Origin Of Bipedalism Tied To Environmental Changes May 2002 - Science Daily