Posted on 06/19/2014 7:50:23 PM PDT by Pharmboy
Full headline: Treasure trove of skulls reveal missing link in human evolution: Facial bones suggest early Neanderthals used their teeth as a 'third hand'
The 17 skulls belong to a single population of a fossil hominin species
This is the biggest collection of human fossils ever found on one site
They shed light on pre-human evolution from around 400,000 years ago Skulls showed Neanderthal features in face and teeth but not elsewhere
These features evolved due to eating and perhaps for use as a 'third hand'
Study adds to theories that the Neanderthals developed their characteristic looks slowly, and intermittently, over hundreds of thousands of years
Juan-Luis Arsuaga, a paleontologist, claims the findings were consistent with a 'Game of Thrones' evolutionary saga
The biggest collection of ancient human fossils ever recovered from one site is causing scientists to reconsider the path of human evolution. They reveal how Neanderthals, our sister species, developed their distinctive teeth before their brains, using them as a third hand for holding objects. The new study adds to theories that the Neanderthals evolved their characteristic looks slowly, and intermittently, over hundreds of thousands of years. Scroll down for video
Neanderthals’ trademark facial features took shape as a first step in their evolution, while their other defining features came along later, and not all at once, researchers have reported
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
"Grave findings have shown that late Palaeolithic settlers in central Europe and their Mesolithic descendants in the Scandinavian Peninsula were Europoids, who had compartively large teeth - a seemingly comical detail, but nevertheless an important factor in identifying these populations. Although it is very unlikely that the language of these settlers will ever be identified, I cannot see any grounds for the theory that either of these groups spoke Proto-Uralic."
"East Europeans have small teeth compared with the relatively large teeth of the Scandinavian, a peculiarity deriving from an age-old genetic distinction. Ancient skulls tell usthat the early settlers of east Europe were mostly descendants of an ancient east European population which lived in prolonged isolation from the Scandinavians. Perhaps the "Siberian" element in Finnish genes is, in fact, east European in origin? "
On the Other hand....
On the Biting Hand....
Even 13 years ago Jones’ opinion was not supported by the single mtDNA comparison available at that time, which involved fewer than 400 base pairs out of a presumed 16,000+ in the Heidelbergensis specimen when alive. That wasn’t in accord with the morphological similarities even in 2001 (and the study was done years before that), and a more complete picture has emerged with nuclear DNA (and that’s from Neandertal specimens rather than a single Heidelbergensis specimen).
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
“Trove of Skulls” — wasn’t that the opening for Mega Death and Thrasher?
Should have been, if not. :’)
I remember one of the very first theories I heard in jr. high school about human evolution was that we were separated from most mammals because we have an opposable thumb which enables us to grip things and use tools.
Now we learn that the Neanderthal may have had an additional feature-—the opposable tongue.
Does this mean that my old girlfriend who could tie a cherry stem into a knot in her mouth with her tongue was descended from the Neanderthals?
She ALSO had red hair come to think on it.
Mammals told me there’d be days like this.
Very likely.
No wonder they all died out. It’d be kinda hard to chew food with a mouth full of fingers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
