How Neanderthals met a grisly fate: devoured by humans

Guardian ^ | 5/17/09 | Robin McKie

[LibWhacker]

A fossil discovery bears marks of butchering similar to those made when cutting up a deer

One of science's most puzzling mysteries - the disappearance of the Neanderthals - may have been solved. Modern humans ate them, says a leading fossil expert.

The controversial suggestion follows publication of a study in the Journal of Anthropological Sciences about a Neanderthal jawbone apparently butchered by modern humans. Now the leader of the research team says he believes the flesh had been eaten by humans, while its teeth may have been used to make a necklace.

[blam]

"see 24...lol "

Funny, funny.

[MaxMax]

Great, first Humans ate the competition, now we're eating up the planet.

Damn you sail humans! Damn you.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

[wolfcreek]

Guess all those references to the *cannabalistic* tendencies of the Aztec/Mayan civilizations should be squealched.

U8it2 <}:~)

[bert]

What? No bone wear? Did they find any bones worn out on the ends where they were boiled away being cooked?

Secondary confirmation is necessary. /S

[chesley]

Because people are basically good? Capitalism makes people do bad thing? Western civilization is bad, and these were innocent tribal people?

That’s why :(

[pabianice]

But... but... the Left insists that early humans were gentle vegetarians living in harmony with the land and their environment. I’m so confused!

[BenLurkin]

[SunkenCiv]

Nope, now they’re *fair game*. :’)

[colorado tanker]

Aw, geez, Mom, we're having Neanderthal again tonight??

[Pharmboy]

There's not been much of a doubt in my mind that this is exactly what happened. Richard Alexander, emeritus anthro prof at UMich has said that other humans were man's greatest environmental challenge. I believe he is right.

This illustrates his point in that when H. sapiens were hunting meat on the tundra, who was the easiest to catch and kill?

[Steve Van Doorn]

”devoured by humans “

And we wonder why we can not find big foot.

[SunkenCiv]

If these guys are wrong, they’ll have to eat cro-

magnon that is!

[AH_LiveRight]

There we have it. Neanderthals evolved with a gene that made them scrumptious and tasty. So we ate them all.

[colorado tanker]

LOL!

[blam]

"This illustrates his point in that when H. sapiens were hunting meat on the tundra, who was the easiest to catch and kill? "

Ah, tundra, the only word from my mother's people (Skolt Sami) that has made it outside the tundra region in far northwestern Europe.

"Skolt Sami (sääˊmǩiõll) is a Finno-Ugric, Sami language spoken by approximately 400 speakers in Finland, mainly in Sevettijärvi, and approximately 20–30 speakers of the Njuõˊttjäuˊrr (Notozero) dialect in an area surrounding Lake Lovozero in Russia."

So, what does that have to do with Neanderthals, you say. I don't know...I just don't think I'll have a better opportunity to pass that information on than now.

BTW, I'm also keeping my eyes open for casino opportunities in Finland, half of me is a persecuted minority.

[SunkenCiv]

The closest thing you’ll see to casino opportunities in Finland *may* be wagering on whether you’ll see casino, well, anyway... ;’)

Excellent use of that opportunity to pass on that info though.

[Pharmboy]

Glad to have given you a chance to give us the origin of that--now that you mention it--interesting word.

And you realize, of course, that our Rb1 ancestors likely dined on Neandertals. Tastes like chicken...

[blam]

"And you realize, of course, that our Rb1 ancestors likely dined on Neandertals."

I'm still not convinced that we're not some part Neanderthal.

[Pharmboy]

Well, the genes do not support that...the key is whether the matings would ever leave viable offspring. Based on man’s sexual proclivities, I do not doubt that couplings took place. But, did they lead anywhere??