Are the neanderthals really extinct?

Question

Because if you look at the Asian facial features and body structure. And the uncanny adaptablity to their counter parts as far as technology, customs etc. They are more likely to be the ancestry of them. Possible?

Answer 1

They're on the latest GEICO Insurance commercial.

Answer 2

There were several "branches" of the human family tree that for a time all lived on the Earth at the same time. The Neanderthals (named for their remains found in a cave in the Neader Valley of Germany) were one of those branches.

It is possible that some very, very old myths and folk tales derive from handed-down oral traditions about the time the Neanderthals still survived. One such story is that of "Beowulf," in which Grendel and her children well match the popular understanding of the Neaderthals - but that is quite a long stretch.

But the Neanderthals are most definitely long, long gone. And persons of Asian descent are not their direct descendants. You need to look up material about variations of human adaptation so that you understand this better. By the way, Native Americans are descended from the same root peoples who were the ancestors of Asians.

Answer 3

Based on many of the questions here at Y!A, I'd have to say no, they aren't extinct.

However, the truth is that Neanderthals are not our ancestors, they are a seperate species that died out - probably killed off by our true ancestors. All humans follow the same line of descent - going back to Africa. The Neander Valley is in Germany, and most Neanderthal skeletons have been found in Europe. So, the short answer to your question is: Yes, they are extinct. No, it's not possible for Asians or anyone else to be their descendents.

Despite what spending too much time on Y!A might lead you to believe!

Answer 4

A computer analysis of the skulls of modern humans, Neanderthals, monkeys and apes shows that we are substantially different.

N.Y. University paleoanthropologist Katerine Harvati said Neanderthals should be considered a separate species form Homo Sapiens, and not just a sub-species.

"We interpret the evidence presented here as supporting the view that Neanderthals represent an extinct human species and therefore refute the regional continuity model for Europe." She and colleagues wrote...

And from PBS series NOVA "Neanderthals on Trail" date 1/22/02. DNA evidence shows because of mutations in genes our most recent common ancestor with Neanderthal would be more than 500,000 years ago. For many anthropologist, the study is one more compelling line of evidence that Neanderthals is not our ancestors.

Answer 5

There is some debate over three distinct theories as to how humans developed. Their is an out of africa theory which suggests that fully modern humans left Africa and settled the rest of the world. The other theory is that modern humans left africa, and mixed with other archaic cultures, like the Neandertals, and the other is a multireginal theory that all evolved in their regions independantly from archaic species. All of these are argued and have good supporting evidence. Every few years a proponunt of one of these theories will state that they have proof thiers is the correct answer, but it does not ever fully answer the question.

It is possible, according the the multi-reginal model, that asians evolved from other archaic species in their area, but most likely not the Neandertals because of their restriction to Europe (other similar specimins are found throughout asia, but they are not neandertals).

The major theories on Neandertals is that they either died out, evolved into modern Europeans, or bred with moderns and became a hybridization of the two.

Most anthropologists believe in the out of africa model with no or limited breeding with other archaics, but some propose that some neandertals did mate with moderns. The evidence for this is known as the ginger gene hypothesis.

Answer 6

I'd say that it's unlikely. Neanderthals had much larger noses, had heavier builds and lived in what is now Europe.

However, it is possible that the Neanderthals contributed to the genetic makeup of modern humans. At the time that Neanderthals existed, they lived fairly close to Cro-magnon humans and the two species may have interbred with each other to help contribute to the evolution of modern humans.

Answer 7

actually neanderthals are most likely not ancestral to humans simply because anatomically modern humans appeared before neanderthals, it would appear at this point that the were just an 'offshoot' of evolution that was a dead end. Which features are you referring to? There are specific features that may or may not resemble current populations but this is just superficial.

Answer 8

No. There is one living in the White House right now as we speak. Just look at the vapid eyes, the sloping brow, and the bobbing monkey walk. You'll see what I see and you'll laugh.

Answer 9

I was taught in school they are, but based on some of the questions and answers I see here I'm not sure now! :-)

Answer 10

I doubt it. Take a look at some of the people you encounter every day (Especially if you are in retail.)

Answer 11

everyone is an ansestor of neanderthals, they were a species of animal, like homosapians, which we evolved from.