Dr Robert Broom, with his intense obsession with anatomy and skulls as described in the last post was naturally overjoyed by Raymond Dart's discovery, the Taung child and had his own part to play in the controversy.
He would write later on the matter:
"In England, many took little interest in the discovery of what might be a being closely related to man's ancestors, but they were greatly interested in the pedantic question of whether the name Australopithecus was good Latin! Prof. Dart might or might not be a great anatomist, but they were sure he was not a great classical scholar. As if it mattered in the least."
"It makes one rub one's eyes. Here was a man who had made one of the greatest discoveries in the world's history - a discovery that may yet rank in importance with Darwin's Origin of Species; and English cultures treat him as if he had been a naughty schoolboy"
"I was never able to discover what were Prof. Dart's offences. Presumably the most serious was that when he found a very important skull he did not immediately send it off to the British Museum, where it would have been examined by an 'expert', and probably described ten years later, but boldly described it himself, and published an account within a few short weeks of the discovery."
The Taung child was not Broom's first brush with ancient human ancestors. He had examined the "Boskop Man" skull and claimed it to be a new species Homo Capensis in 1917. He had also followed the developments around "Rhodesian Man"(Homo Rhodesiensis) found in 1921, which is basically the Southern African equivalent of Neanderthal Man.
By J. Arthur Thomson. - http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20417/20417-h/20417-h.htm, Public Domain, Link
After examining the Taung child for himself he was convinced of its place in human ancestry.
By 68 years old Dr. Broom had had a prolific career as a paleontologist and thought of himself as the greatest paleontologist that ever lived and decided it was time to become the greatest paleoanthropologist too.
It was with this grand vision in mind that he started visiting known Limestone mines and caves in the area. Given where The Taung child had been found he reasoned this would be the place to most likely and given his age, quickly find Darwin's "missing link" between apes and man.
Fascinating how flat the skull looks from the teeth to the eye socket. Kind of vain to think he was the greatest paleontologist ever haha, I guess that view of himself lead to other great discoveries though. I personally think that it's okay to have self confidence to such an extent, if you are willing to back it up by how you live.
Hmmm.......bones!...:)...
Am still a novice in the world of history. I have study about the great Herodotus and other great archeology the Aristotle of great great Greek. This people have done great in the world of history
yes, you are right
yes, this is an eyeopener. Am not an history student but loves history. I love to know my source at the origin of man. I have read and read about how the stages of man's life,about from the early stage of man.
What would it be like to quit your job and start over in a more appealing career? If you are an older worker, you may think that a major career change would require overcoming too many obstacles to be worthwhile -- like age discrimination, new technology or a salary cut. But according to Helen Harkness, author of Don't Stop the Career Clock, the real obstacles to a midlife career change may reside in your own mind. Harkness argues that several myths surrounding midlife career changes keep people from pursuing their dream job. Which myths do you subscribe to
this is an awesome informational post and a great history.Some information are unknown.its a amazing and very important think you add this post also. I really impress i this post.
The history of anatomy begins at least at the beginning of 1600 BC, when the papyrus of anatomical sciences by ancient Egyptian civilization scientists, everyone would want to know about his ancestors
I am inspired with your scientific posts @gavvet. I also write about science. You can visit my profile when you find time.
Nice pic friend
post very useful and nice please upvote me because i really hope upvote from you @ gavvet hope you can accept my request
a very important explanation from you, I am afraid to have to look and find a terrible skull @gavvet.
Thanks for sharing post. Love you buddy...❤️
I admire doctors infact everyone else does, when we are suffering from some disease at that time we truly appreciate them
tengkorak oramg purba dulu.lol matap
Thanks for sharing this interesting and awesome post!
really it's very challenging efforts.Undoubtedly an adventurous act.Good luck to Dr.broom.
Sorry to bother you but I'm quite inquisitive, did he later found the missing link between apes and human according to Darwin theory ? Darwin theory was unarguably the most controversial in science history.
Ha...good read. I was told by my 23and Me DNA test that I have a tiny percentage of Neanderthal in me.
That what were doing those scientists was wonderful but still they were missing one point: The man was not created from monkeys through the process of evolution. Mr.Broom might have thought He is greatest palenthologist but actually forgot who is the greatest of all and from where actually the origin of species came...
His obsession with skulls was insanity, for me, more than specializing in some area...
Dr. Broom gave the effect of a career change at the age of 68.
hopefully the inspiration and motivation can be utilized and we learn and develop.
i love to read post from mr @gavvet
Thanksyou brother
Short but interesting. Haha!I'm tired of reading "novel" posts. Thanks for sharing it.
I remember very well...Australopithecus Afarensis, Australopithecus Tropicanus, Homo Habilis, etc etc etc. Well done Dr. Broom. And thank you for this golden knowledge @gavvet
Good content, it Was an interesting read. Thanks for sharing.
ohhh good 😱😱
Never make permanent decisions on temporary feelings
I'm glad that I've stumbled upon your posts. Dr Broom was definitely a very interesting personality 👍
@gavvet, That would be very educative to read blogging. I most updated about examined skull via your historical posts. I was heard Robert Broom was born in Paisley, Scotland on 30 November 1866. He was he fascinated by the origin of mammals. He much promoted the belief in evolution. In 1934, Broom accepted the position of assistant paleontologist at the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. It was there that he began to search for early hominids, seeking more specimens of Dart's spectacular Australopithecus africanus. Since 1936, thousands of fossils that show human evolution over the past 3.5 million years have been found, but one of the most significant discoveries was made in 1947 by Broom and John Robinson.They discovered the most complete australopithecine skull, which Broom named Paranthropus robustus, nickname Mrs Ples.
Dr. Broom Having made an enormous contribution to the study of prehistoric life, which broadens our understanding of human existence. Nice you decided to share community.
anD somE people say that old aged people are useless
Hi. I liked your post, keep it up. I wish you good luck and have a good day, and of course you can also get a big jackpot :)
I am inspired with your beautiful posts . I also write about technology. You can visit my profile when you find time. i love your interest .
Such a Smug!
A smart smug :D
I think it's never too late, when you like science you are always a child ;)
A man with a very interesting life and who made an enormous contribution to the study of prehistoric life, which broadens our understanding of human existence.
Very interesting. Congratulations