Archaeological and Geological Evidence of a Recent
and Rapid Sea-Level Rise from Sites Along Coastal Florida
Brian R. Rucker and Carl
R. Froede Jr.
Uniformitarians
propose that the last major sea-level rise began with the close of the
Wisconsin Ice Age 14,000 to 18,000 years ago. Approximately three
to five thousand years ago sea level stabilized to its near-present-day
level. According to uniformitarian archaeological estimates paleo-
Indian cultures have existed in Florida for 10,000 years. Many
paleo-Indian sites have been identified across the state with some found
underwater, both on and offshore. Large offshore submerged sand
dune fields are believed to have become drowned with the last rise in
sea level. Many of these same subaqueous sand dune fields contain
in situ tree stumps within the swales, reflecting once living
maritime forests. These former forests existed on the continental
shelf at various sea-level lowstands during the Pleistocene. We
propose that the now submerged paleo-Indian sites, sand dune fields,
and paleo-forests reflect former subaerial environments that were rapidly
drowned with the last sea-level rise approximately three to six thousand
years ago (associated with the close of the Young-Earth Flood ModelIce
Age Timeframe).
Dental variability in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris)
Implications for the Variability of Primates
Celedonio García-Pozuelo-Ramos
The
dentition of a sample of Canis familiaris, the domestic dog,
has been statistically analyzed using methods that have been employed
by other workers to determine variability in other species. The results
presented here suggest that the dog sample includes several species.
If the domestic dog were extinct and we did not know all that we do
about its progressive variation in historical times, we would probably
view it as a group of species. Our knowledge about dog dentition may
therefore be useful in determining the boundaries of other holobaramins
(created kinds).
My
results obtained from dog teeth suggest that the extinct Australopithecines
and Homo habilis (which I have also analyzed here) manifest a
variability in the first and second molar that is less than the variability
found in dog molars. By these standards, therefore, the Australopithecines
and H. habilis can be included as part of one and the
same holobaramin.
Several
Homo erectus fossils of diverse origin have likewise been subjected
to similar analysis of variability. The H. erectus results do
not support the division of H. erectus fossils into two
or more different species but are compatible with the belief that they
are all part of one species.
It
has been possible here to use the variability in the dentition of a
living monobaramin (the domestic dog), to show that the Australopithecines
and H. habilis should be lumped into one kind and that a Homo
erectus is in a holobaramin distinct from them. I intend to carry
this analysis of dentition further to study the affinities between the
extinct Homo erectus kind and living Homo sapiens. Whether
these two groups would appear distinct or united by this method remains
to be determined. The degree of variability in domestic dog dentition
(a living monobaramin) can thus become an important tool for creationists
in assessing the limits of extinct kinds.
Bacterial Resistance to AntibioticsA Case of
Un-Natural Selection
Eric Penrose
Although
the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is frequently
described as classical Darwinian natural selection in progress, a closer
examination reveals no such example. This evaluation is based on a consideration
of the basic tenets of "natural selection" in light of our
current understanding of the development and spread of resistance mechanisms.
Bridging the Artificial Dichotomy Between the Putative
"Physical" and "Metaphysical" Realities
Jerry Bergman
A
pervasive tendency now exists for scientists and writers to radically
dichotomize the so-called "metaphysical" and "physical"
realities. This position is a form of dualism and is not only artificial
but is forced upon the real world and probably distorts our perception
of reality. No compelling reason or logic requires the universe to exist
as sharply divided "physical" and "metaphysical"
realities. The source of this division can be traced to ancient Greek
speculation and has become an assumption that is now a firm part of
our intellectual tradition. Orthodox sciences rigid acceptance
of the monist position, which argues that only matter exists, is actually
a derivative of dualism: the dichotomy is accepted but the reality of
one side of it is rejected. This dualism has resulted in the design
view of reality being labeled metaphysical, then rejected as outside
of science. In contrast, naturalism is called physical, and therefore
within the realm of science. The view of the over 10,000 American scientists
who accept the creation world view, including the belief that God created
Adam and Eve less than 10,000 years ago, should be considered.