Neanderthal genes are found in modern Africans, Asians and even Europeans
Usually, deeply ignorant people are easily called "Neanderthals". In fact, this word arose after February 4, 1856, in Germany, in a valley with the beautiful name of Neandertal, found the remains of an ancient man. Exactly one year later, on February 4, 1857, the skull of the one who was found was presented to the world in Bonn. But not all scientists and naturalists believed that the fossil man is 150 thousand years old, and the remains were recognized as falsification. In fact, this was already the third such find, but only years later they were all classified as the remains of Neanderthals.
Migration with consequences
Until recently, the Neanderthals were considered a genetically separate, intermediate, although closely related branch to humans. However, recent studies by German scientists have shown that 4% of modern people have Neanderthal genes. That is, they may well be considered the ancestors of Homo sapiens!
Presumably, during the migration, the Cro-Magnons (the earliest representatives of modern man) crossed with the Neanderthals and interbreeding took place. By the way, the DNA of Homo sapiens and Neanderthal are almost 99.5% similar. Perhaps the "wild people", as they are now, were in fact even wiser in some ways. The findings of experts indicate that Neanderthals have been rudely slandered for many years. Here are the most common myths about them.
Neanderthal Head Reconstruction, John Gurch, 2010, National Museum of Natural History, Washington.
Promotional video:
Neanderthals were semi-monkeys and did not know how to talk
At the beginning of the 20th century, a whole skeleton of the "missing link" between a monkey and a man was finally discovered, which became extinct about 40 thousand years ago. The remains indicated that the extinct species was gnarled and walked on bent legs. Then they assumed that this is still completely subhuman.
However, the researchers later concluded that the deceased suffered from arthritis. Neanderthals were erect, but lower than modern humans by 15-20 cm. In 1983, a healthy specimen was found that showed that they looked almost the same as humans.
Another myth is that the ancestors of Homo sapiens made sounds like animals, using only the larynx. In the same year, in Israel, they found the remains with the preserved hyoid bone (part of the speech apparatus), which means that the Neanderthals were able to speak.
Neanderthal skeleton.
By the way, in 2009 they made up the complete genome of the Neanderthal. Now it is possible to clone it, which will cost $ 30 million. It was Neanderthals who genetically passed on the risk of cancer and diabetes to us.
Neanderthals lived in caves and knew how to handle only stones and sticks
It is a mistake to think that they lived exclusively in caves suitable for shelter. Basically, one of the branches of primitive man lived in huts built from trees, animal bones and their skins. Dwellings that served for years were strengthened with clay and stones.
Neanderthals did not use ordinary stones and sticks as tools and weapons. They had tools that looked like spears, axes, hammers, and utensils. Household and household items were made from stones, plants, wood, animal sinews, skins, teeth, horns, animal bones and dead relatives. It's just that not all things have survived to this day in proper condition.
Reconstruction of Neanderthal Man, Neanderthal Museum, Mettmann, Germany.
Neanderthals died like flies
Of course, in those days, the mortality rate was higher than the birth rate and climatic conditions were not conducive to survival. At the same time, scientists found out that the hominids ate yarrow and chamomile, that is, they knew about the medicinal properties of these plants, since they did not represent any more benefit for them.
And in Spain, artifacts have been found during excavations that indicate that our ancestors used toothpicks to treat sore gums. The remains of the Neanderthals indicate that some of those found were seriously ill, but were able to survive for some time. This means that they were treated by their fellow tribesmen and carefully looked after them.
Neanderthals led a primitive lifestyle
By the way, it was they who invented the funeral rites. Burial in the grotto of La Chapelle-aux-Seine in France proves that hominids were the first to decorate the dead with flowers, bring them food and toys. True, in the difficult conditions of the ice age, they had to be cannibals and are the lowest members of primitive society.
Reconstruction of a Neanderthal burial, Darwin Museum.
Neanderthals were very stupid
Experts from Harvard University argue that this race was in some way more capable of a human - it just thought differently. Researchers base on various Neanderthal inventions, rituals, medical knowledge and consider them a cultural race. So, in 1995, in a cave in Slovenia, they found a bone flute with holes belonging to the hominids, on which you can play several notes. At one of the sites, a carved image of a human face was found on a stone.
Photo (reconstruction of a man and a woman, Neanderthal Museum, Mettmann, Germany).
MASHA SENINA