Evolution was always so self evident a thing, even the classical thinkers had already caught wind of this early on, even 600yrs before Augustine & his "germ theory" . Much like drifting continent theory, one of the most elegant discoveries in geological sciences in the last century (or even 300yrs), but children 250yrs ago looking at a map of the world would see instantly the fit of Africa into South America.
Some truths of the physical world were sitting right before us, so self evident but we needed enough time to travel the distances, draw the maps to make the observation & spatial comparisons. They had discovered many fossils in ancient time, hints of the significance were already there, glimmerings in some very observant men's minds. Biology starts back in Greece, clasification of animals & phyla etc
Btw, it takes alot more for S America to drift apart from Africa than 6000 yrs, not that it needs to matter to you, but it was something children could see 250yrs ago in an instant. |
