An article
in Science Daily, published on November
6, 2014, discusses the fossilized remains of an ancient horse,
known as Eurohippus messelensis, with its fetus still in tact. It was
found in Germany fifteen years ago but while
the discovery is a few years old, new information has been discovered through
the use of a micro x-ray. The article explains that recent studies
have allowed researchers to conclude that the reproductive process was very
similar to that of modern horses. Like horses of today, the uterus was attached
to the mother’s backbone by a broad ligament which helps support the developing
foal. Further, the article states that this horse lived about 47 million years
ago. It goes on to describe that many fossils have been found in the region,
buried in oil shales where oxygen was not present.[1]
The article
describes similarities between this now extinct horse and our modern horse,
which may not be surprising, but it is assumed that the age is 47 million years
old. No explanation is given as to how the age was determined, possibly by
tests previously conducted, so it is readily given as fact and apparently with
the understanding that the age will not be questioned. That this horse is
extinct and lived many years ago would most likely not be challenged, nor would
the similarities in the birth process, but the age of the animal is
questionable. This leads me to say evidence for, at least part of, the
conclusion is lacking.
Due to the
size and its having toes, as opposed to hooves, it is rather obvious that this
is a significant find that would most likely go unchallenged but as we have
seen in our studies on dating methods, the millions
of years old date is speculative. The writer describes the process in which
the animal was preserved when it supposedly died and sank to the bottom of the
lake but gives no explanation as to probable cause of death. It could be argued
that death was caused by the flood, found in Genesis chapter 7, which would
have caused rapid burial, thus making it possible for the Eurohippus
messelensis
to fossilize. Again, there is much speculation but it seems to be purposely
driven in a particular direction.
Bibliography
Society of
Vertebrate Paleontology. "Exquisite ancient horse fossil preserves uterus
with unborn foal." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141106104035.htm
(accessed November 16, 2014).
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