Neanderthals, humans didn't mix
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Or somewhere in between. Homo Erectus, Homo Sapien and Homo Neanderthalensis appear to have been contemporary with each other for 50-150 thousand years. Possibly as late as 30,000 years ago but almost surely 50,000 years ago. Homo Heidelbergensis appears to have gone extinct before Homo Sapiens or Homo Neanderthalensis. But maybe we just haven't found the right fossil yet. Four distinct human species, existing at the same time? WOW! Let's keep digging!Soapy Sam said:
See:
http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/a_tree.html
DrMatt
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Badger said:
Evolution doesn't follow any particular speed rules.
Since we don't have an independent species of Neanderthal around today, the uestion might be moot. But my own theory is that while Neanderthals and Humans are capable of interbreeding, for the most part they avoid each other, and Neanderthals went on to become Republicans.
I am quite sure I have heard/read evidence of human and neaderthals living in the same areas at the same times. As far as interbreeding, I have also heard (mind you, this was three years ago) that the prevailing thought is that humans do indeed possess 'Thal' genes, or at least there is a good chance some do. I believe there is a colony of them residing in Brooklyn today actually. . . but I digress.
On a serious note, I can't see why not. I have no idea on the sterility issue, but if it wasn't a congenial encounter, and was more of a forced rape, then I can see it as plausible that humans and 'Thals' mixed. Imagine you are one of a few members of humans (or thals for that matter) and your tribe gets killed by some accident, rival tribe, dies from starving. you are all alone, and a tribe of neaderthals spots you. Evidence suggests we would look pretty similar. Ugly to each other, but I've seen some pretty ugly people out there as well, and THEY find mates. I just don't see it as being that remote a possibility.
Course, those are just my thoughts.
Then, if you ask Michael Chrichton, he believes they are STILL around, and live in remote parts of scandinavia. LOL
On a serious note, I can't see why not. I have no idea on the sterility issue, but if it wasn't a congenial encounter, and was more of a forced rape, then I can see it as plausible that humans and 'Thals' mixed. Imagine you are one of a few members of humans (or thals for that matter) and your tribe gets killed by some accident, rival tribe, dies from starving. you are all alone, and a tribe of neaderthals spots you. Evidence suggests we would look pretty similar. Ugly to each other, but I've seen some pretty ugly people out there as well, and THEY find mates. I just don't see it as being that remote a possibility.
Course, those are just my thoughts.
Then, if you ask Michael Chrichton, he believes they are STILL around, and live in remote parts of scandinavia. LOL
It seems to me that I saw a show, yeah I know a lot of these shows are not totally trying to show the truth, that Neanderthals did not have particular things by themselves, but when Homo Sapiens Sapiens moved in, the Neanderthals adopted some of their inventions.
So, I see no reason that they wouldn't have interbred as well. We succeeded as a species not only because of our brain power, but because of our social system that included compassion to a certain extent of our fellow tribesmen. People were taken care of, from what I understand, sometimes when they couldn't care for themselves. They have found remains of crippled humans that probably were unable to hunt, but their injuries were healed, so someone must have been taking care of them. Even if the Neanderthals did not take in humans, I bet the humans took in Neanderthals. Of course, I have no way of really knowing this!
So, I see no reason that they wouldn't have interbred as well. We succeeded as a species not only because of our brain power, but because of our social system that included compassion to a certain extent of our fellow tribesmen. People were taken care of, from what I understand, sometimes when they couldn't care for themselves. They have found remains of crippled humans that probably were unable to hunt, but their injuries were healed, so someone must have been taking care of them. Even if the Neanderthals did not take in humans, I bet the humans took in Neanderthals. Of course, I have no way of really knowing this!
arcticpenguin
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Because they would have found each other repulsive? I personally wouldn't have sex with another species, even on a drunken dare.Denise said:
arcticpenguin said:
Oh come now! We have no idea really how they would have viewed each other, do we. After all, there is only one species of us on Earth right now. Dogs and wolves mate, aren't they different species?
Maybe the caveman homo would have found the cavewoman neanderthal "exotic!"
arcticpenguin
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Would you have sex with a chimpanzee?Denise said:
Oh come now! We have no idea really how they would have viewed each other, do we. After all, there is only one species of us on Earth right now. Dogs and wolves mate, aren't they different species?
Maybe the caveman homo would have found the cavewoman neanderthal "exotic!"
My continued worship of you may depend on the answer.
Kiri
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arcticpenguin said:
Myself, I'm partial to anything equine, but I'm a special case.
arcticpenguin
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Was that a Yes or a No?Denise said:
arcticpenguin
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Now we're getting somewhere. Do you feel you could restrict yourself to just one human, if he were cute and rugged looking?Denise said:
arcticpenguin said:
Now we're getting somewhere. Do you feel you could restrict yourself to just one human, if he were cute and rugged looking?
Hmmmmm..... not sure.
But seriously, don't you think that humans and neanderthals look enough alike that they might mate?
Wolf and dog are the same species. The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiarus) and wolf (Canis lupus) can freely interbreed and produce fertile offspring. The differences between domestic and wild dogs are no greater, genetically speaking, than the differences between two such diverse breeds as the Great Dane and the Chihuahua.
I don't think the genetic distance between humans and chimps is any greater than that between horses and zebras for instance, which have been sucessfully bred. Something I've wondered about is whether fertility grades off by degrees as genetic distance increases, making sucessful matings less and less likely, and finally impossible. Maybe the only reason we don't see any chimpumans walking around is that no one has been willing to make a sustained effort (that's probably a good thing).
It seems plausible to me that the genetic distance between Neandertals and humans would be even less.
I don't think the genetic distance between humans and chimps is any greater than that between horses and zebras for instance, which have been sucessfully bred. Something I've wondered about is whether fertility grades off by degrees as genetic distance increases, making sucessful matings less and less likely, and finally impossible. Maybe the only reason we don't see any chimpumans walking around is that no one has been willing to make a sustained effort (that's probably a good thing).
It seems plausible to me that the genetic distance between Neandertals and humans would be even less.
http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/movie/wolf/facts/facts.html
Wolves and dogs are in the same family, however, they are different species. Humans and chimps cannot breed.
Wolves and dogs are in the same family, however, they are different species. Humans and chimps cannot breed.