Scientific Methods

Sunday, March 12, 2006

NEANDERTHALS NOT CLOSE FAMILY

"3D comparisons of Neanderthal, modern human and other primate skulls confirm theories that the ancient people were a breed apart, the researchers report. "
 
 
"Scientists have analysed the DNA of a third Neanderthal in an attempt to shed light on the genetic history of early humans. The results suggest that, like modern humans, Neanderthals expanded from a relatively small number of individuals."
 
 
Dr Richard Knight
Co-ordinator: National Information Society Learnerships - Ecological Informatics
Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
University of the Western Cape
Private Bag X17
Bellville 7535
 
Phone 27 + 21 + 959 3940
Fax 27 + 21 + 959 1237
 
 
 
 

posted by Rich Knight at 3/12/2006 07:56:00 PM

3 Comments:

  • Very interesting topic, indicates how similar, yet distinct the two species are from one another.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, March 14, 2006 12:28:00 PM  

  • If anyone is interested in this topic (and also the next topic), the following link provides the transcript to a video entitled "Neanderthals on Trial". Unfortunately the video itself is not available online, but the trancript is still interesting. I saw this video a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. It presents arguments for the different views on who Neanderthals were and also documents the first analysis of Neanderthal DNA.

    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcripts/2902neanderthals.html

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Sunday, March 19, 2006 5:44:00 PM  

  • The DNA evidence is believed to be conclusive and there is overwhelming evidence that suggests that Neanderthals were a breed apart. Some scientists do however belive that neanderthals are ancestal to humans and there is very little evidence to substantiate this claim.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, April 25, 2006 10:26:00 AM  

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