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]

They may have farmed, but given the climate in Europe (under glaciers) during much of their heyday, evidence for their settlements and domiciles will have to be looked for on the continental shelf.

Sea gives up Neanderthal fossil [ dredged up from the North Sea ]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2272129/posts

[heartwood]

It’s hard enough for girls to be that tall without actually calling it six feet. They were five twelve.