Posted on 05/02/2008 3:01:53 PM PDT by blam
Neandertals Had Big Mouths, Gaped Widely
Mati Milstein in Tel Aviv, Israel
for National Geographic News
May 2, 2008
Neandertals had big mouths that they were able to open unusually wide, new research has determined.
A recent study found that a combination of facial structure, forward-positioned molars, and an unusually large gap between the vertical parts of the back of the jaw allowed Neandertals (also spelled Neanderthals) to gape widely.
Modern humans and our direct ancestors don't have these traits, the researchers note. But the team was unable to measure exactly how far Neandertals could open their mouths.
"This ability is connected to the length of the muscle fibers, which, of course, we don't have," said study co-author Yoel Rak, a professor of anatomy at Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine.
Rak and colleague William Hylander, an expert on jaw biomechanics at Duke University, presented their findings last month at a meeting of the Paleoanthropology Society in Vancouver, Canada.
The scientists believe the large space behind Neandertals' molars created a geometry that allowed them to take extremely large bites.
This is perhaps an adaptation to the size of the food Neandertals ate, the researchers said, although they caution that the exact reason for the wide gape remains an enigma.
"Why were they able to do this?" Rak asked. "This is something that only a time machine could help us answer."
Skull Evolution
Neandertals lived in parts of Europe and Asia for more than 400,000 years, then disappeared some 30,000 years ago.
The omnivorous species had an extremely varied diet—from vegetation to reindeer—and they knew how to butcher and cook meat.
"They didn't have to put a whole [animal] leg in their mouths," noted Alan Mann, a physical anthropologist at Princeton University who did not participate in the new research.
"I would suspect that the Neandertals were probably as adept as we are in cutting their food into manageable sizes," he said.
Mann believes a large mouth structure may not have been exclusive to Neandertals but was also present in earlier human species.
Instead of eating habits, the change in gape size may be due more to the evolution of the skull: as the braincase expanded, the face moved under it, he said.
"What has changed is the architecture that we begin to see in modern humans, where the face and the braincase have different kinds of structural relationships," he said.
"This has produced a change in our ability to open our mouths."
Sphenoid shortening and the evolution of modern human cranial shape Daniel E. Lieberman
They can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, therefore same species.
I just watched three of Carly’s videos...she is so beautiful and natural and dignified...I just wrapped up a big discussion on another forum (some friends of mine) about all the trashy pop tarts these days, and how worried I am about who my little daughter might want to emulate some day. Geez, watching Carly got me a little choked up! </hijack> ;)
Makes sense since dogs are descended from wolves.
I had similar concerns about my son when he was a big fan of KISS in the mid-70's. He turned out okay and is a doctor today. So...there's hope.
BTW, your kids do what you do not what you say do.
Lest we forget, Mary Tyler Moore and Joe E. Brown.
You have to get the whole KISS experience, or the whole Gene experience rather. Keep in mind it is purely gimmick (by his love for making money admission) and also that he is a nice jewish boy from the Bronx. Actually he was born in Isreal and his father died and his mother immigrated here.
Keep in mind, his character is “The Demon”. He is an excellent showman. Please don’t be disturbed by it, he is totally harmless in real life (I’ll include a clip from his family show)
Ok, so tell me what you think! And yes, cats in basement would probably be a good idea unless you like cat choruses. hehe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWLpbcgc814
(Concert)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkDmWT5n95c
Family show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT7MS0GxKoQ&feature=related
Interview in 1974
THAT'S WHAT I'M AFRAID OF!
LOL....Well hopefully they'll never know what I've done anyway. ;)
LOL! But hey were you aware that this “charming red head” is actually a sculpture of a FEMALE Neanderthal?
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