I found this list quite interesting.
Since I understood that the 'Hunzars' who lived the simple life, in the Caucasian mountains were the longest lived.
I did'nt expect longevity to be found living within the 'modern polluted West'


1..122 years, 164 days : Jeanne Calment (France) Feb. 21, 1875 - Aug. 04, 1997

2..119 years, 097 days : Sarah Knauss (U.S. (PA)) Sept. 24, 1880 - Dec. 30, 1999

3..117 years, 248 days : Lucy Hannah (U.S. (AL)) July 16, 1875 - Mar. 21, 1993

4..117 years, 230 days : Marie-Louise Meilleur (Canada (QUE)) Aug. 29, 1880 - Apr. 16, 1998

5..116 years, 347 days : Maria Esther Capovilla (Ecuador) Sept. 14, 1889 - Aug. 27, 2006

6..116 years, 175 days : Tane Ikai (Japan) Jan. 18, 1879 - July 12, 1995

7..116 years, 00+ days : Elizabeth Bolden (U.S. (TN.)) Aug. 15, 1890 - fl. Sept. 2006

8..115 years, 319 days : Maggie Barnes (U.S. (NC)) Mar. 06, 1882 - Jan. 19 1998

9..115 years, 252 days : Christian Mortensen (Denmark) Aug. 16, 1882 - Apr. 25, 1998

10..115 years, 228 days : Charlotte Hughes (England (UK)) Aug. 01, 1877 - Mar. 17, 1993


Oldest Still Living Female.

116 years + : Elizabeth Bolden (U.S. (TN.)) Aug. 15, 1890 - [fl. Sept. 2006]

Oldest Still Living Male.

115 years + : Emiliano Mercado Del Toro (Puerto Rico) Aug. 21, 1891 - [fl. Sept. 2006]

***Thoughts
I wonder what would be considered more important:
Their diet, or their Genes?

Nice research Mike:

A friend of mine is about 85 and recently buried his mother who was 109. He had been visiting her every other week in Boisy, Idaho, where she was in a senior care facility. She did not know who he was for the last 6 years or so and he found her longevity to be very depressing. I just turned 78 and feel pretty good as long as I can ebjoy a few drinks, good books, my Lady friends company and things like writing from some of my old ideas.

My point, not meant to be a detraction from your excellent post, is that many old people are not "living" at all. I see them all bent over one careful step at a time and so vulnerable to make you want to look after them some way. I know some of them keep their wits and their health but no matter how you view it there is little benefit in getting really old. My friend and I keep an eye open for each other. We have a happy gremlin begotten plan.
jjw

Is there an evolutionary purpose to being incredibly old and wrinkly?

I agree, jjw, I'll take "Quality" over "Longevity" any day.

Way before "Carpe Diem" came into vogue, I was cramming everything I could into life. Now, I'm 54, and if I were to drop dead tomorrow, I'd do it smiling.

UPDATE to LONGEVITY LIST above

The oldest man in the world died in Cuba yesterday
(11th Oct. 2006) aged 126 years old.
He was born in Haiti in 1880, and went to Cuba as a young man to cut sugar cane.

Unfortunately the 'Guinness Book of Records' will not verify his age, as there were no birth certificates issued at that time.

--------------------
"You will never find a real Human being - even in a mirror." ....Mike Kremer

Well said JJW. It should be about quality not quantity.

And Mike ... I think the thing that may distinguishe those living in the Caucasus mountains is that they are liars. There is no evidence that they live long lives ... and at more than a few reasons to doubt them.