Article Abstract:
Neandertals probably evolved from a population of archaic Homo sapiens that became isolated in Europe, beginning around 500,000 to 400,000 years before present (BP). Evidence suggests Neandertal morphological traits developed over a period of at least 300,000 years, to become clearly established by 127,000 years before present. During this period there were intense glaciations in Europe, and the Neandertals have features suggesting adaptation to cold. Modern humans came to Europe at about 40,000 BP, the start of the Upper Palaeolithic period.
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Article Abstract:
Reasons for the extinction of the Neandertals, including climatic changes and competition from modern humans, are discussed. Study of Palaeolithic human DNA remains shows the Neandertals to be a distinct sub-species of Home sapiens. The replacement of Neandertals by modern invaders some 40,000 years ago Changes in stone-artifact production were evidence of the replacement of Neanderals by modern invaders some 40,000 years ago.
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Article Abstract:
Discoveries made since the late 1940s are enabling paleoanthropologists to narrow their search for human evolutionary origins. With the expansion of the fossil record available for study, the search has moved from Asia and Europe to Africa, and includes ecological changes in addition to biological factors in assessing physiological development.
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