Anthropology

Judi Lynn

(160,542 posts) Mon Jan 16, 2023, 09:33 PM Jan 2023

A Leading Theory Behind Neanderthal Extinction May Surprise You

Scientists have long assumed Neanderthals simply lost the evolutionary race against humans. But a new neanderthal extinction theory proved this view a bit more complex.

By Connor Lynch
Jan 4, 2023 1:10 PM

This article was originally published on Nov. 17, 2021.

Humans weren’t always alone on our branch of the primate evolutionary tree. Among our closest cousins, none are better known than the Neanderthals.

Once, the name was an insult we applied to our fellow Homo sapiens — we considered Neanderthals a less sophisticated and intelligent version of ourselves. That view has shifted over time, as has the nature of investigations into the ancient humans’ mysterious disappearance.

While we still can’t be certain, it’s possible that Neanderthals slipped away by chance. Their small, isolated populations scattered throughout Eurasia were always on the brink of extinction.

Our Evolving View of Neanderthals

The hominids known as Neanderthals had a long run. Evidence suggests they emerged in Eurasia at least 400,000 years ago and may have persisted up to as recently as 35,000 years ago in some areas, such as Gibraltar, which is located on the southern tip of Spain.

The first Neanderthal fossil was discovered in Germany in 1856, just three years before Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species. This finding sparked a flurry of controversy: Some suggested the remains belonged to an unknown species of human; others argued the body came from an ill human. One of Germany's most famous professors suggested he may have been a Russian Cossack who suffered from rickets and crawled in a cave to die during the Napoleonic era, explains Leiden University archaeologist Gerrit Dusseldorp. But the 1886 discovery of similar remains in Belgium quashed that theory.

More:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/a-leading-theory-behind-neanderthal-extinction-may-surprise-you

4 replies

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A Leading Theory Behind Neanderthal Extinction May Surprise You (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jan 2023 OP

I have also read that because Neanderthals had significantly shorter PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2023 #1

Interesting overall, but it's obvious a man wrote this because of this bit: intheflow Jan 2023 #2

It works in the other direction, too Random Boomer Jan 2023 #3

I noticed that assumption in the article, too, and wnylib Jan 2023 #4

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,861 posts)

1. I have also read that because Neanderthals had significantly shorter

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Jan 17, 2023, 02:38 AM

Jan 2023

life spans than Homo Sapiens, around 40 years, as compared to at least 20, maybe 30 years longer for homo sapiens. Which means that their oldest members could only remember back a whole lot less long than the oldest homo sapiens could remember.

One problem with looking at average life spans is that it includes all those who died very young. Sad, but once a homo sapien made it past age 10, they stood a good chance of making it to age 40. And those who made it that far, were quite likely to make it to age 70. With Neanderthals, the older ranges were simply less likely.

Certainly, in our species, the very old, those who live to 80 or 90 or even longer, are always there, rare as they are. And those very old people are an incredible resource.

Heck, as someone who is 74 years old, I realize that my memories of 50 and more years ago are important. Well, ok, those memories won't change anything, but they are there, and I share them when I can.

intheflow

(28,476 posts)

2. Interesting overall, but it's obvious a man wrote this because of this bit:

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Jan 17, 2023, 02:59 PM

Jan 2023

Modern evidence has also complicated the picture. Genetic studies and fossil remains hint that humans entered Neanderthal territory as early as 210,000 years ago; our own DNA indicates that we interbred with Neanderthals, suggesting peaceable contact; and we’ve found evidence of sophisticated tool use, including a prehistoric glue made from birch bark tar, as well as jewelry and cave art.

Dude, rape has been used as a weapon in modern times, how much moreso might it have been used back when Neanderthals and humans inhabited the same space. Maybe the Neanderthals were hunted to extinction because of their constant raping of human women. Just one casual assumption in a "science article" can throw the entire argument into the flames. Discover needs to do better.

Random Boomer

(4,168 posts)

3. It works in the other direction, too

Reply to intheflow (Reply #2)

Tue Jan 17, 2023, 06:09 PM

Jan 2023

If human males raped or mated with Neanderthal women, that would explain why the two lines merged, with hybrid children keeping some of their Neanderthal heritage alive.

wnylib

(21,482 posts)

4. I noticed that assumption in the article, too, and

Reply to intheflow (Reply #2)

Thu Jan 19, 2023, 12:15 AM

Jan 2023

also thought about rape. But I did not conclude that it was one way. Or that it was a result of hostilities between Neanderthals and Sapiens.

They could very well have lived peaceably with rape occurring sometimes by both Neanderthal and Sapiens.

Since both Sapiens and Neanderthal had some cultural similairities such as jewelry, painting, and burial ceremonies, they might have lived peaceably together. Maybe the extinction of Neanderthals is due to Intermating. There were fewer of them so their DNA could have been absorbed into ours, making theirs extinct.

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