Posted on 10/22/2013 1:36:15 PM PDT by Theoria
Neanderthal peoples' Asian cousins occupied the islands of our nearest neighbours and possibly Australia itself, scientists believe.
Writing today in the journal Science, Adelaide University archaeologist Alan Cooper argues that the Denisovans – Neanderthal-like relatives of ancient humans – crossed Wallace’s Line, one of the world’s most formidable marine barriers, more than 100,000 years ago.
Having achieved this feat, it would be “amazing” if they had not made what was then an easy crossing to Australia. “If you cross Wallace’s Line you’ve done all the hard work,” Professor Cooper told The Australian.
The Denisovans were unknown before a finger bone and some teeth were discovered in a Siberian cave in 2008. Scientists believe they outnumbered the Neanderthals and lived throughout Asia.
Traces of their DNA exist in modern humans, leading to the assumption that the two groups interbred in Asia. But Professor Cooper said genetic evidence of interbreeding had only been found in indigenous populations of New Guinea, Australia and nearby areas.
This suggested it had occurred on the Australian side of Wallace’s Line, a powerful marine current east of Borneo and Bali which marks a natural boundary between Eurasian and Australasian species.
Given that humans and their relatives originated in Africa, Denisovans would have had to find a way of crossing Wallace’s Line. Professor Cooper said most archaeologists would not have given Denisovans credit for using watercraft in the first place.
But they, like their Neanderthal cousins, had been underrated. “Neanderthal doesn’t mean a cave man with a big club and Raquel Welch. (They were) probably much more akin to modern humans than we’ve been thinking.”
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.com.au ...
And this article is full of Neander goodies.
Where do I sign up for the big brow?
What interests me is how close Australia and Asia may have been during the Last Ice Age. According to Wikipedia, the two continent may have only been 50 miles or so apart.
Maybe Neanderthal sailors operated a ferry for them?
Perhaps. Makes since. Ferry drops them off, then the ferry union goes on strike and the Neanders can never leave.
Evolution the theory of “may have...”.
since= sense
Gotta start with something.
Denisovans must have been on both sides of Wallace’s Line. However, fully modern humans have only retained the DNA evidence on the east side of the line. One explanation could be that moderns and Denisovans only had contact east of Bali.
“Given that humans and their ancestors originated in Africa”
I knew it. I just knew it. And Grandma said us Black Norwegians were descended from Gypsy Princesses. We’re from Africa, Grandma! And we probably aren’t descended from African Princesses either. We’re probably descended from the poor schmoe who had to go out and make sure there weren’t any lions around.
“You! Go outside and see if there are any lions around!”
They’re making a movie about my family - THE REALLY EXPENDABLES.
Evolution: Where are the gorillas who are building huts and using bows and arrows? :-)
And they were all named "Bruce."
I think that 0bama might know that one.
LOL!!
Maybe Neanderthal sailors operated a ferry for them?
Don’t thin that aids came form the Neanderthal ferry?
The Neandertal Enigma"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]
by James Shreeve
in local libraries
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