More on Neanderthals

[Dymanic]

I've wondered about how reliable the brain size estimates are- if they are calculated from the skull volume alone, then presumably the thickness of membranes and amount of fluid surrounding the brain have to be estimated, and taken into account.

When the volumes are fairly close, as in Neanderthals and modern man, does the error in these estimates reduce the significance of the difference?

Stephen Jay Gould wrote a book devoted primarily to the potential for error in measuring skulls: The Mismeasure of Man.

At one time, to measure a skull, they would fill it with rice, then pour the rice out and measure it. The results tended to be heavily influenced by the expectations of the person making the measurement--if he knew that the skull was that of a white guy, he would tend to shake the skull a little more, maybe pack the rice down a little to make sure more fit in.

 

[Beany]

Stephen Jay Gould wrote a book devoted primarily to the potential for error in measuring skulls: The Mismeasure of Man.

At one time, to measure a skull, they would fill it with rice, then pour the rice out and measure it.

Thanks, I'll have to look out for the book.

The rice reminded me of an old method in molecular modelling for estimating molecular surface area- you make a scale model of the molecule, cover it in glue, and roll it in a known weight of polystyrene balls. Weigh the balls afterwards, and the amount lost is proportional to the surface area.

 

[c0rbin]

Surely vocalizations are key to communication across distances, but voice is not the only way to communicate. Sign language is a possible alternative.

I know, I know, I saw Clan of the Cave Bear too. Just adding elements to our speculation soup