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The Missing Link

Last year, a tiny, fossilised jaw bone was found in a dusty museum. Scientists believe it holds the key to the mystery of the 'missing link' in our evolution. Narrated by John Shrapnel.

Last year the discovery of a tiny fossilised jawbone hit the headlines. The jawbone, only a few centimetres long, and with 7 rows of teeth, had been found lying abandoned in a dusty museum where it had lain unnoticed for decades. It's rediscovery has caused a sensation in the world of palaeontology because scientists now believe it may be a tiny remnant of a "missing link", an ancient extinct animal that could provide a vital clue in our understanding of one of the great mysteries of science - how, 360 million years ago, a slimy fish-like creature grew legs and walked out of the sea, onto the land, and became our ancestor. This mystery, of how and why, long ago, we grew legs and crawled out of the water, has taken scientists a century to unravel. And this tiny jawbone may be a final clue.

50 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 Nov 2001 16:00

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Broadcasts

  • Thu 1 Feb 2001 21:00
  • Thu 1 Feb 2001 21:30
  • Wed 14 Feb 2001 10:00
  • Wed 14 Feb 2001 13:00
  • Wed 14 Feb 2001 16:00
  • Wed 14 Feb 2001 19:00
  • Wed 14 Feb 2001 22:00
  • Thu 15 Feb 2001 01:00
  • Sun 18 Feb 2001 23:00
  • Thu 26 Apr 2001 08:00
  • Thu 26 Apr 2001 11:00
  • Thu 26 Apr 2001 14:00
  • Thu 26 Apr 2001 17:00
  • Thu 21 Jun 2001 08:00
  • Thu 21 Jun 2001 11:00
  • Thu 21 Jun 2001 14:00
  • Thu 21 Jun 2001 17:00
  • Sun 5 Aug 2001 09:30
  • Sun 5 Aug 2001 12:30
  • Sun 5 Aug 2001 15:20
  • Sun 5 Aug 2001 23:45
  • Sun 4 Nov 2001 10:00
  • Sun 4 Nov 2001 13:10
  • Sun 4 Nov 2001 16:00