Neanderthals Evolutionary Biology, Slides of Evolutionary biology

Download Neanderthals Evolutionary Biology and more Slides Evolutionary biology in PDF only on Docsity! Neanderthals Muna A., William G., Tatiana L., Taylor P. —— What are Neanderthals? First specimen to be recognized as a human fossil Closest extinct human relative Originated in Africa, but migrated north to Europe sooner than humans Migrated south and east during the ice age Lived about 400,000 – 40,000 years ago Brain • The average cranial capacity of Neanderthals was 1600 cubic centimeters • Modern humans have a cranial capacity of 1400 cubic centimeters • The volume of the human brain case has increased as humans have evolved starting from 600 cubic centimeters in Homo habilus to 1600 in neanderthals Habitat Took shelter from Eurasia’s ice and snow in caves. Many of their fossils and artifacts are therefore found in caves, hence the moniker “cave men.” Their bodies were adapted to surviving in the cold. Hunted animals around them. Tools They made spear points with a stone or soft hammer Some stone points suggest they were once attached to wooden shafts, perhaps glued with resin or tar and bound with plant fibers, sinew, or leather Burial and medicine practice Remains of a series of small fires discovered north of Madrid, Spain Scientists believe the fires may have been lit as some sort of funeral ritual The cave may have been used as a specific place to mourn and remember the dead Within each of these hearths was the horn or antler of a herbivore, apparently carefully placed there. In total, there were 30 horns from aurochs and bison as well as red deer antlers, and a rhino skull nearby. Chamomile is very well known as a herbal treatment for nerves and stress, and for digestive disorders," while yarrow is used to treat colds and fevers and works as an antiseptic Did cross mating occur? Traces of human DNA were found in Neanderthal genome in Siberia which suggests we started mating with them 100,000 years ago It was believed before this that modern humans encountered them when leaving Africa 60,000 years ago Research concluded that most humans have 1 to 4 percent Neanderthal DNA.  Europeans and Asians carry a small portion of Neanderthal DNA Are they considered human? They are archaic humans. They are considered to be a different species by most people. Other scientists say if we successfully interbred with them then they should be considered the same species or subspecies of Homo sapiens. This is still being debated and researched today. Neanderthal Range Neanderthals lived in Eurasia between 30K and 200K years ago They lived as far north and west as Britain and through part of the Middle East into Uzbekistan Many fossils found in caves, which were used as protection from the elements “cave men” Neanderthal Range 1856: fossils found in the Neander Valley near Dusseldorf, Germany 16 pieces of bone found, including a skull Originally thought the bones belonged to a bear Given to a local teacher and eventually passed on to scientist and determined to be ancient human relatives Since then, nearly 400 Neanderthal bones found Darwin’s The Origin of the Species helped popularize the discovery Adult vs. Juvenile Neanderthal Works Cited Bradshaw Foundation http:// www.bradshawfoundation.com/origins/homo_neanderthalensis.php LiveScience https:// www.livescience.com/28036-neanderthals-facts-about-our-extinct-hu man-relatives.html Smithsonian National Museum http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/homo-nea nderthalensis New Science https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23230934-800-cave-fires-and -rhino-skull-used-in-neanderthal-burial-rituals / Picture sources 1. skeleton comparison – Stockton University 2. skulls – wordpress.com 3. brain size – tested.com