Solving the Mysteries of Short-Legged Neandertals

Science News ^ | October19, 2011 | Johns Hopkins Center of Functional Anatomy and Evolution

[SunkenCiv]

"Studies looking at limb length have always concluded that a shorter limb, including in Neandertals, leads to less efficiency of movement, because they had to take more steps to go a given distance," says lead author Ryan Higgins, graduate student in the Johns Hopkins Center of Functional Anatomy and Evolution. "But the other studies only looked at flat land. Our study suggests that the Neandertals' steps were not less efficient than modern humans in the sloped, mountainous environment where they lived."

Neandertals, who lived from 40,000 to 200,000 years ago in Europe and Western Asia, mostly during very cold periods, had a smaller stature and shorter lower leg lengths than modern humans. Because mammals in cold areas tend to be more compact, with a smaller surface area, scientists have normally concluded that it was the region's temperature that led to their truncated limbs compared to those of modern humans, who lived in a warmer environment overall.

However, Higgins' group adds a twist to this story. Using a mathematical model relating leg proportions to angle of ascent on hills, he has calculated that Neandertals on a sloped terrain would have held an advantage while moving compared to their long-legged cousins, the modern humans. Because the area Neandertals inhabited was more mountainous than where modern humans tended to live, the researchers say that this assessment paints a more accurate picture of the Neandertals' efficiency of movement as compared to humans. "Their short lower leg lengths actually made the Neandertals more adept at walking on hills," explains Higgins.

[SunkenCiv]

The Neandertal Enigma
by James Shreeve
in local libraries

Frayer's own reading of the record reveals a number of overlooked traits that clearly and specifically link the Neandertals to the Cro-Magnons. One such trait is the shape of the opening of the nerve canal in the lower jaw, a spot where dentists often give a pain-blocking injection. In many Neandertal, the upper portion of the opening is covered by a broad bony ridge, a curious feature also carried by a significant number of Cro-Magnons. But none of the alleged 'ancestors of us all' fossils from Africa have it, and it is extremely rare in modern people outside Europe." [pp 126-127]

[SunkenCiv]

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[Berlin_Freeper]

Neanderthals

[GOP Poet]

cool.

[cripplecreek]

Not only that but the Cro Magnons won all the basketball championships.

[Decombobulator]

But the neanderthals dominated the limbo competitions.

[DJ MacWoW]

STOP!
And Support Free Republic

[heartwood]

I’m 5’2, used to walk to school with two sisters who were 5’12. I was the faster, easier walker - running might have been a different story.

Everything else being equal - it usually isn’t.

[Hot Tabasco]

Neanderthals, vs. the Cromagnons...... Colt evened the playing field. Kudos to my short statured ancestors who had the common sense in bringing a gun to a spear fight.........

[NormsRevenge]

maybe they didn’t need to have long legs and arms to reach the TV controls.. they didn’t have stands back then.. just a guess. or it could have been tight fitting levis,,uhh genes :-)

[Mike Darancette]

Dorf was a Neandertal

[blam]

So...why is it that I favor thos long-legged red haired ladies?

We are Neanderthals.

[Winstons Julia]

Unfortunately there was no “petite” section back then and they spent a FORTUNE on alterations.

[bunkerhill7]

Neanderthals were the first to domesticate a wild animal, the Side-Hill Wampus.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Cue latest Robert Reich video in 3.....2.....1.....

[TigersEye]

Short cave men have no reason,

short cave men have no reason to live!

[GladesGuru]

This article finally explains the success of the American poison dwarf, Giftswerg robertus reicccchhhisus.

[GladesGuru]

So...why is it that I favor thos long-legged red haired ladies?

We are Neanderthals.

May I note:

Neaanderthals may prefer the red haired, but gentlemen prefer blonds.

Ducks and runs for cover .........

[Jack Hydrazine]

Were they below 4’10” in height? If so, they would qualify as midgets.

I bet the Sasquatches back then used those Neanderthals in their local dwarf tossing leagues!

[sodpoodle]

Birthing children was easier for the shorter compact Neanderthal females. Breech births (legs first) were also more easily accommodated and if childbirth came while standing or walking - the baby didn’t have so far to fall.