TAUNGS SKULL

Northern Advocate, 9 July 1925, Page 5

TAUNGS SKULL

THE DART THEORY. ARDENTLY SUPPORTED. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, July 8. In reference to controversy concerning Sir Arthur Keith's challenge to Professor Dart's theory respecting the Taungs skull, Dr. Elliott Smith, who arranged the exhibits at the South African Pavilion, where casts of the skull as well as the brains were displayed alongside a chimpanzee's head, said in an interview that he disr agreed with Sir Arthur Keith. The exhibit impressively confirmed the accuracy of Professor Dart's general conclusion that the skull is. the most ■wonderful fossil yet discovered. It revealed for the first time, the form of the head and brain in the man-like ape, showing more definite signs of human affinities than any which had previously been found. Every competent scientist in Britain (except Sir Arthur Keith) who had examined the evidence was convinced that Professor Dart had made good hi:3 claim.

The geographical factor that Professor Dart emphasised, namely, that the Taungs ape had wandered hundreds of miles from the forest belt, was the surest proof of its acquired ability to live independently of trees, thereby differing profoundly from the chimpanzee and gorilla, which were entirely dependent on forests. Sir Arthur Keith had completely ignored this consideration. —Sun.