www.bbc.co.uk.
A study of Neanderthal skulls suggests that they became extinct because they had larger eyes than our species. The theory is that when they left Africa, their eyes developed to see in the long European deep winter days. This sight required a much larger visual processing area at the back of their brains. There is no suggestion that their higher cognitive abilities suffered as a consequence.
Our ancestors continued to enjoy bright and beautiful days in Africa and so had no need for such an adaption. Instead, Homo sapiens formed large groups. A larger brain is needed to process extra relationships in a community. They evolved their frontal lobes, associated with higher level thinking. This ability enabled our species, Homo Sapiens, to fashion warmer clothes and develop larger social networks, helping them to survive the ice age in Europe before they spread across the globe.
With a better ability to react quickly, to rely on their neighbors to help you survive and to pass on information gave the edge to Homo sapiens over Neanderthals.
Neanderthals may have been more intelligent that was once thought.
Our ancestors continued to enjoy bright and beautiful days in Africa and so had no need for such an adaption. Instead, Homo sapiens formed large groups. A larger brain is needed to process extra relationships in a community. They evolved their frontal lobes, associated with higher level thinking. This ability enabled our species, Homo Sapiens, to fashion warmer clothes and develop larger social networks, helping them to survive the ice age in Europe before they spread across the globe.
With a better ability to react quickly, to rely on their neighbors to help you survive and to pass on information gave the edge to Homo sapiens over Neanderthals.
Neanderthals may have been more intelligent that was once thought.
www. bbc.co.uk. Neanderthal (L) modern man (R)
First discovered in Germany's Neander Valley in 1856, they are believed to have lived in Europe and parts of Asia. Close examination of the found fossils shows that they shared 99.5 - 99.9% of modern humans' DNA, which makes them our closest relatives. Researchers discovered projectile points, ochre, bone tools, ornaments and possible evidence of fishing and small game hunting. The fact that Neanderthals could adapt to new conditions and innovate shows they should be considered a subspecies of human rather than a different species. Neanderthals split from our evolutionary line some 500,000 years ago, and disappeared off the face of the Earth about 30,000 years ago.
Fragments of a Homo sapiens tooth found in Italy and a jaw found in UK confirm that modern people overlapped in Europe with their evolutionary cousins, the Neanderthals, for between three to five thousand years. Tests on bone fragments make it clear that some species mixing must have occurred. DNA studies prove Neanderthals made a small but significant contribution to the genetics of many modern humans.
So: Sapiens' species survival stems from social skills whereas loner activities in the dark wiped out Neanderthal. Conclusion: Social networking is good.
Fragments of a Homo sapiens tooth found in Italy and a jaw found in UK confirm that modern people overlapped in Europe with their evolutionary cousins, the Neanderthals, for between three to five thousand years. Tests on bone fragments make it clear that some species mixing must have occurred. DNA studies prove Neanderthals made a small but significant contribution to the genetics of many modern humans.
So: Sapiens' species survival stems from social skills whereas loner activities in the dark wiped out Neanderthal. Conclusion: Social networking is good.
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