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Why did Neanderthals have such big noses?
New Scientist ^ | October 27, 2008 | Ewen Callaway

Posted on 10/28/2008 7:45:29 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

The traditional answer has been that Neanderthals have a big nose because they have a big mouth and a wide jaw, useful for ripping apart tough food, says Nathan Holton, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Iowa.

Why, then, do Neanderthals have faces that jut further out than humans? "They had them because earlier hominids had them," Houlton says.

He laments the tendency of some anthropologists to "atomise the body", and explain each of its part as an exquisite adaptation to an environment. Selection for strong jaws and teeth has been a favourite explanation for other Neanderthal facial features, as well as nose size.

"There's no real good evidence to say that Neanderthals are producing these high levels of bite force to begin with," he says.

Weaver agrees. "A lot of these anatomical differences are probably more likely due to these chance changes," he says.

(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs; neandertal; neandertals; neanderthal; neanderthals
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To: Slings and Arrows

I bet SlingsandArrows nose!


21 posted on 10/28/2008 8:01:45 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: wastedyears

I’ve always been envious of “big nose” syndrome since my schnoz is smaller. Fortunately, the rest of my anatomy made up for it...


22 posted on 10/28/2008 8:01:49 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: SunkenCiv

“Stop thinking about sex! “


23 posted on 10/28/2008 8:08:21 PM PDT by Oztrich Boy (Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Oztrich Boy

BIG NOSE!


24 posted on 10/28/2008 8:13:31 PM PDT by Boiling point (If God had wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates.)
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To: Oztrich Boy

Great. Now I’m thinking about sex again.


25 posted on 10/28/2008 8:15:33 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______Profile finally updated Saturday, October 11, 2008 !!!)
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To: Renfield

probably will post this soon, unless someone beats me to it. ;’)

Tyrannosaurus rex noses out dinosaur competition
By Will DunhamPosted 2008/10/28 at 8:06 pm EDT
http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre49s012-us-dinosaurs-smell/


26 posted on 10/28/2008 8:29:53 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______Profile finally updated Saturday, October 11, 2008 !!!)
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To: SunkenCiv
Why did Neanderthals have such big noses?

From chasing parked cars?

27 posted on 10/28/2008 8:36:46 PM PDT by Dan(9698)
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Comment #28 Removed by Moderator

To: SunkenCiv

Why not?


29 posted on 10/28/2008 9:07:14 PM PDT by webschooner (Welcome to the wonderful world of Socialism -- kindly check your money and possessions at the door.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Neanderthal?

30 posted on 10/28/2008 9:09:19 PM PDT by TruthWillWin
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To: SunkenCiv

because there were no jock straps or bras yet, and somethin’ had to be big ...


31 posted on 10/28/2008 9:10:20 PM PDT by webschooner (Welcome to the wonderful world of Socialism -- kindly check your money and possessions at the door.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Now there’s a question that will keep me up nights. (snarky I know)


32 posted on 10/28/2008 9:20:30 PM PDT by svcw (Great selection of gift baskets: http://baskettastic.com/)
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To: SunkenCiv

“Bloody Romans”


33 posted on 10/28/2008 9:27:13 PM PDT by Only1choice____Freedom (Her couch is tougher than Obama.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Because air is free


34 posted on 10/29/2008 4:13:24 AM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . Ferengi?.....Probably not, but he sure has the lobes)
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To: SunkenCiv

Did you ever quit? Thinking about it, I mean...


35 posted on 10/29/2008 6:43:35 AM PDT by Monkey Face (I just let my mind wander and it didn't come back.)
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To: SunkenCiv

I guess Neanderthals told a lot of lies?

That would explain Democrats too.


36 posted on 10/29/2008 6:45:40 AM PDT by Doohickey (Go Phillies! 2008 National League Champions!)
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To: SunkenCiv

Let’s just say, Milton Berle had a big nose too.


37 posted on 10/29/2008 9:31:02 PM PDT by RightOnTheLeftCoast ([In the primaries, vote "FOR". In the general, vote "AGAINST". ...See? Easy.])
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To: SunkenCiv; All

One theory I read somewhere was that the large nose helped warm the air in the very cold ice age conditions they had adapted to survive in. Also, presumably it would not get frostbitten so quickly as a small one.


38 posted on 10/30/2008 12:42:30 AM PDT by gleeaikin
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To: gleeaikin

I think that’s one that is discussed in the full article. :’)


39 posted on 10/30/2008 4:21:11 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______Profile finally updated Saturday, October 11, 2008 !!!)
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