Neanderthals: A Genetic Analysis

In the early nineteenth century, fossilized remains discovered in northern European caves near the cities of Dusseldorf, Germany and Engis, Belgium led to the classification of a new species of hominin; Homo neanderthalensis, which takes its name from the Neander Valley where some of the fossils were discovered. These findings have until recently sparked much debate over its place in the lineage of our common ancestors (Smithsonian). Using information from the current fossil record the graph below illustrates the most likely common ancestor of modern humans and Neanderthals to be Homo heidelbergensis, a species of hominin which lived between 300,000 and 600,000 y.a. Fossilized remains of this species have been found as far east as India’s Narmada Valley (Pearson). A split of ancestral human and Neanderthal populations around 370,000 y.a. suggests that our evolutionary lineage continued unabated

This genetic analysis can tell researchers about other aspects of their biology that goes beyond just observing the physical characteristics from a skeletal sample. Information about areas of the body such as the muscles, the digestive system, various diseases they carry, their immune system, etc can now be studied. Although, at present scientists are limited by their ability to understand how the human genome works. Nevertheless, as they gain more knowledge about human genetics, they will be able to transfer that understanding and apply it to the study of Neanderthals. For example, the gene MC1R was found in some neanderthals suggesting that variations on hair color is a possibility (Hawks). Also, DNA from Neanderthal specimens show variations in the melanocortin 1 receptor indicating the probability of paler skin which would aid in vitamin D production for those living in colder climates with less sun exposure