Neanderthal and Early Modern Humans

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Neanderthal and Early Modern Humans

The history of life on earth goes back to millions of years. Many species and creatures evolved and changed through time, leading up to what we know today as, modern man. One of the creatures most similar to modern man is the Neanderthals; they are sometimes referred to as “early modern humans.”

An article entitled “Early man steered clear of Neanderthal romance” by Michael Hopkin, explains that there was a discovery that early human ancestors of modern man did not breed with their “cousins,” the Neanderthals, according to DNA that has been studied. “Neanderthals vanished from Europe between 30,000 and 40,000 years ago, roughly the time that truly modern man made his first appearance in the region. Researchers have been divided over whether the two groups ever came face to face-and if they did, whether relations were hostile or harmonious” (Hopkin, 16 March 2004).

Based on research of Human and Neanderthal DNA samples, there is not much evidence of interbreeding between the two. In the chance that it did happen, it was not often. “DNA from the two sets of samples was distinct enough to rule out large amounts of mixing between the two” (Hopkin, 16 March 2004). You must now have in mind that DNA is hard to preserve; therefore it is almost impossible to be certain about these findings.

The basis of this research was from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) found in fossils from Germany, Russia, and Croatia. Mitochondrial DNA is “The genetic material found in mitochondria, the organelles that generate energy for the cell. Not inherited in the same fashion as the nucleic DNA”
Mitchondrial+DNA> (4 March 2004). Studies found that these N...

... middle of paper ...

...tween modern man and Neanderthals will go unanswered. No one truly knows what actually happened, all we do know are from the discoveries we are still finding. It all comes together in how the history of life on earth happened, how Neanderthals somehow evolved or were pushed into what we know as the modern man we all are today.

References:

Hopkin, Michael. “Early man steered clear of Neanderthal romance.” Nature Science

Update. 16 March 2004. http://www.nature.com/nsu/040315/040315-4.htm.

“Mitochondrial DNA: Dictionary Entry and Meaning. 4 March 2004.
Hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/Mitochondrial+DNA>.

Serre, David. “No Evidence Neanderthal mtDNA Contribution to Early Modern

Humans.” PLoS Biology. 16 March 2004. 4 March 2004.
journal.pbio.0…>.

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