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The Neanderthals Rediscovered: How A Scientific Revolution Is Rewriting Their Story
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There is a little Neanderthal in all of us. Although they have been extinct for 40,000 years, our genetic inheritance means that they are not entirely gone. Since the publication of the first Neanderthal genome in 2010, our understanding of the Neanderthals – and our connection to them – has changed dramatically. Once stereotyped as simple and brutish, recent discoveries by archaeologists and geneticists have painted a different picture of Neanderthals, and one more familiar to us: they buried their dead, cared for the sick, and even painted cave walls. We can now delve into their DNA to trace their evolution in Europe and movements across Asia, and piece together how they lived and died in amazing detail.
This fully updated edition presents cutting-edge research on our fascinating hominin relatives: their interbreeding with humans and other species including the recently discovered Denisovans, their social behaviours such as smiling to indicate friendliness, and the genes they have passed down to us that could be affecting our health. By confronting our differences and similarities to the Neanderthals, this book addresses the biggest question of all: what it means to be human.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Thames and Hudson Ltd, Third edition (5 May 2022) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 256 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0500296405 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0500296400 |
| Dimensions | 12.95 x 2.03 x 19.81 cm |
by Chris Hindmarch
EXCELLENT UPDATE OF OUR NEANDERTHAL STORY. All of us Out of Africa are the real Neanderthals – well 2% . Readable and popular update by two of the experts in the field. And it is Completely Up to Date as of 2022, in spite of one review suggesting otherwise.
MAKE LOVE NOT WAR.
The main problem in our Neanderthal story was getting any separate species started at all out of Africa. Population levels were v low, and people did not realise they should be different species. Most bones of what we find are mongrel mixtures. Only when the Sahara gets established, and the Ice Age begins does the brute in a man – and a woman – begin to appeal when you have to do more hunting and less gathering.
And then the Neanderthals were the Lords of Europe and W Asia, driving Homo Sapiens back into Africa (or more probably the conditions became too cold and brutal).
TOO MANY MIGRANTS FROM AFRICA
The next surge from Africa was different in numbers and technology. It outbred the Neanderthals 50 – 1, as our DNA shows, thanks to doing the Gathering bits much better, and doing fishing and boating. And taking over the Neanderthal home turf, Hunting big game. It could get over major sea crossings and spread fast round the edges. And it could eventually learn to do New and Different stuff, not just the same old rock banging.
GENETIC JUST SO
Of course at the gene level the Neanderthals have succeeded : 2% of a very big gene pool is not too bad. And our other ancestors sorely needed some Grim Northern diversity.
And yes ok, the Neanderthals’ brains were bigger, but but but but… they were the Wrong Shape !
WINS NOBEL PRIZE
Svante Pääbo is awarded 2022 Nobel Prize for his ground breaking work on the Neanderthal genome.