Neanderthals May Have Used Toothpicks
Thursday, April 14, 2016
http://www.archaeology.org/news/4381-160414-neanderthal-dental-calculus
YORK, ENGLAND—Anita Radini and a team of scientists examined Neanderthal teeth from Spain’s El Sidron Cave and found traces of bark trapped in fossilized plaque, or dental calculus, on some of them. According to a report in Live Science, the researchers say the wood, which had not been charred and was nonedible, may have come from the use of toothpicks or wooden tools held in the mouth as a “third hand.” Previous studies of Neanderthal teeth have found grooves that may have been made by toothpicks, and marks on teeth from El Sidron, found last year, suggest that these Neanderthals used them as tools. For more, go to “Decoding Neanderthal Genetics.”
speaking of things that didn’t happen:
Neanderthal Y chromosome offers clues to what kept us separate species
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160407132303.htm
April 7, 2016
Cell Press
[snip] Three of those changes are missense mutations in genes known in humans to produce male-specific minor histocompatibility antigens. Antigens derived from one of these genes, known as KDM5D, are thought to elicit an immune response in some pregnant mothers against their male fetuses and lead to miscarriages. The researchers speculate that incompatibilities at one or more of these genes might have played a role in driving ancient humans and Neanderthals apart by discouraging interbreeding between them... The researchers say additional research is required... [/snip]
Sunlight adaptation region of Neanderthal genome found in up to 65 percent of modern East Asian population
December 18, 2013
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131218100229.htm
Neanderthals may have died of diseases carried by humans from Africa
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/10/neanderthals-may-have-died-of-diseases-carried-by-humans-from-africa#img-1