To clarify: I mean the the lifespan of the sub-species Homo sapiens sapiens, not the life-span of its individual members. I believe that for species of larger mammals, it is around 1-2 million years, but need to firm up and be able to cite any such number.
Thanks Again, William > Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:16:39 -0500 > From: [email protected] > Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Lifespan of the Modern Human (Homo Sapiens Sapiens) > To: [email protected] > > I am doing research for a paper that requires a fairly general answer to > what appears to be, at least on the face of it, a fairly simple question. > But I am having a heck of a time finding any sort of answer. Here is the > question: > > Has anyone estimated or tried to estimate the life span of the modern human > (homo sapiens sapiens)? > > The question, of course, gets muddied quickly with the possibility of genetic > manipulation and other self-directed evolutionary interventions; the > creation of isolated human populations in space; and a global disaster that > wipes out all life on earth. But assuming a “base rate” of human (or > mammalian or large mammalian) speciation, how long is the modern human, as a > sub-species, expected to be around? Alternatively, what is the average life > span of members of the genus Homo (e.g., Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, Homo > erectus, etc.)? > > > > If someone could point me to a citable source, I would reallyappreciate it. > Thanks! William > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > - - > William Grove-Fanning, Andrew W. Mellon Fellow > Department of Philosophy, Environmental Studies Program, Trinity University > Secretary-elect, Newsletter Editor, & Website Manager, International Society > for Environmental Ethics > >
