[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Max in Utah for the link!

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]

[hal ogen]

...and I thought moozlums were most similar.

[M1903A1]

<< In Africa, the Yoruba of Nigeria have substantially more Neanderthal similarity than the Luhya of Kenya. This is puzzling, because the geographic location of the Luhya in East Africa seems better placed for Neanderthal similarity to appear, whether through ancient population structure or through the backmigration into Africa of Neanderthal descendants. Instead, the Yoruba in West Africa are the recipients of Neanderthal genes. >>

Hmm...I wonder if this might imply early exploration/migration from Europe down the West African coast? Sort of the same route taken by the early explorers, only over land instead of by sea?

[Grimmy]

Imo, it’s just as likely that the genetic material was brought in to the Italian AO with the Goths or Vandals, rather than the current gene mix indicating something unique about the peninsula back in the time of the actual mixing.

Since the Brits were also mentioned in the article...

Imo, any sampling of Brit DNA is only going to provide info on the DNA carried into the island starting with the Roman conquest and forward. I doubt there’s a whole lot of DNA remaining in Britain that wasn’t transported to that AO from elsewhere within recorded history.