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Ahimsa
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Genetic evidence indicates otherwise: the descendants of Neanderthals (descendants who are, nonetheless, Homo sapiens), exist in Europe, Asia, and Australasia.
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Ahimsa
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There are many ways that two species might diverge. One common way, is geographical isolation: one part of the population is separated from the other part, by means of a mountain range, or a river, or a desert, or any other possibilities. Over time, the two populations diverge in terms of genetics, eventually becoming two species. Now, if the geographical barrier is overcome, such that the two new species can now intermingle, it is likely that the differences will be so great, that the two species will usually not interbreed. But, it is also likely that some level of interbreeding (hybridization) will occur, but not a whole lot.
It’s possible that Neanderthals developed through geographical isolation, or through some other mechanism that somehow isolated the Neanderthals from other populations of Homo.
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EmperorNapoleon
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The majority of the features it exhibits are those of homo neanderthalensis but the skeleton is incomplete and there is considerable disagreement on how what is there and what is missing should be interpreted.
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EmperorNapoleon
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Based on what? All homo sapiens share some genetic similarities with homo neanderthalensis because we have a common ancestor. That isn’t evidence of homo sapiens descending from neanderthals.
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antonivs
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Check out the article this thread is based on. It says that scientists have determined that part of the X chromosome of all humans except sub-Saharan Africans is of Neanderthal origin.
news.discovery.com/human/genetics-neanderthal-110718.html
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grannymh
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Thank you for the link. I had heard about this. I would love to read the research papers following the discovery. Especially if there was DNA.
From the link to the news story, dated 1999.
“This skeleton, which has some characteristics of Neanderthals and others of early modern humans, demonstrates that early modern humans and Neanderthals are not all that different. They intermixed, interbred and produced offspring,” said Erik Trinkaus of Washington University.
"But Joao Zilhao of the Portuguese Archaeological Institute said more research was needed to back up the controversial theory. And Dr Robert Foley of Cambridge University told the BBC: “The fossil evidence as we currently understand it doesn’t show the signs of hybrids between Neanderthals and modern humans, so it would be a novel and unusual find.”
Notice the different language from “early modern humans” to “modern humans”
In the last five years or so there have been finds of pre-human history DNA and improved technology to study genes. The difficulty remains as to how DNA describes a true human being like you and me. We need to remember that humans are something more than their 20,000 to 25,000 genes.
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samiam1611
Guest
I wonder what would happen if some living neanderthals or other sort of ancestor were found. Would we put them in zoos? or treat them like people?
(1st pic is not a neanderthal, it’s Homo heidelbergensis. 2nd pic is a neanderthal)
It’s hard to imagine putting those guys in a zoo, isn’t it? What would we do with them?
(1st pic is not a neanderthal, it’s Homo heidelbergensis. 2nd pic is a neanderthal)
It’s hard to imagine putting those guys in a zoo, isn’t it? What would we do with them?
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grannymh
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Wow! I didn’t realize that cameras were in use back then.
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Ahimsa
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How have humans treated each other?
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jmcrae
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MugenOne
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My Neanderthal gene is the reason why I like to listen to Royksopp “Remind me.”
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lao_tzu
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Hello again granny.
There was a great series on Charlie Rose on science that included interiews with a number of neuropsychologists. Found it … The Brain Series. This is where I’ve picked up much of my information about our current understanding of intellect and will and various other brain phenomena. I know that’s a lot of viewing, but at least give the first one a try: Highlights from the Charlie Rose Brain Series … click on Eric Kandell’s picture to play.
Without discounting any spiritual elements of will and intellect, we know from studying people who’ve suffered brain damage that will, and intellect, and even fairly specific abilities such as facial recognition, are intimately related to specific brain features. There’s a revolution underway in this field made possible by our recent advances in imaging techniques. Perhaps in some sense there is will and intellect even in the presence of damage to their respective brain structures, but I think there’s a risk in that kind of speculation. The past thousand years are replete with answers abstracted from sacred texts that further examination revealed contrary to our observations.
As ever, Jesse
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Ahimsa
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How is this new knowledge (that mental abilities are related to brain functions) fundamentally different than what we’ve always known (that mental abilities are related to brain function, as seen in cases where death causes cessation of brain function and thus cessation of mental abilities)?
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Darryl1958
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Living color too.
and isn’t it something that the neanderthal is smiling for the camera!! Our ancestors from a hundred years back never did smile when they were getting their B&W pictures taken.
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Dale_M
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Its been suggested that people didn’t smile for photographs 100-150 years ago for various reasons. One is that the photography was a lengthy process at the time, and holding a smile for prolonged periods was less natural than a more somber expression. Another is that photography was both rare and formal, and a sober expression was deemed a more dignified way to be recorded and remembered. A third possible reason is that dental care was worse and many people were missing teeth.Living color too.
and isn’t it something that the neanderthal is smiling for the camera!! Our ancestors from a hundred years back never did smile when they were getting their B&W pictures taken.
None of those things were true during the Golden Age of Neanderthal civilization. Life was good, and people were happy all the time. Their technology was far advanced, perhaps from alien contact, which enabled both snapshots and full sets of gleaming teeth. Alas, the collapse of Neanderthal civilization brought the loss of such technology, as the world plunged into a Dark Ages never seen before or since.
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lao_tzu
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The difference is in the level of detail, which allows us to note specific changes in personality and function well short of death.
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Ghosty
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It’s not that the brain isn’t required for certain functions of the soul, it’s that a material brain alone can’t explain certain processes that the rational mind casually utilizes (such as working with disparate ideas and recombining them into new ideas, unconnected with any direct sense perception). Just as we need eyes for the power of sight, we need the brain to process and relay physical information, but just as an eye alone does not make for sight, neither does a brain alone make for rational thought.
Here’s a paper that is a good introduction to the mind/brain problem.
Peace and God bless!
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