2006-08-24 19:24:31 · 7 answers · asked by synchronicity915 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Most scientists would say that they did not or at least not to the extent of leaving any significant Neanderthal-footprint on the modern (European) homo sapiens genome.
It is likely that they were genetically compatible, but the probably longer pregnancy of Neanderthals made it unlikely that a mixed child could be born healthy. Add to that social barriers. And few of us would be attracted to a Neanderthal.
Some scientists disagree with this, though. And a few years ago, the skeleton of a boy that could be interpreted as mixed was found in Portugal.
A similar debate is going on about early Asian h. sapiens and h. erectus.
2006-08-24 21:00:17 · answer #1 · answered by helene_thygesen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's still an open question (and since Neanderthals have been extinct for so long, it will probably remain open), but the latest mitochondrial DNA studies suggest and interbreeding resulting in fertile offspring probably could not have occurred. Yes, Cro-Magnon man and Neanderthals were contemporaries for a very long time (tens of thousands of years at least).
2006-08-25 05:27:10 · answer #2 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why, YES! I certainly come in contact with the results of this inbreeding daily. In fact the best representatives of Cro-anderthals are right here on Yahoo answers. They ask mostly "thick-headed" questions, but of course that's to be expected.
2006-08-25 02:32:14 · answer #3 · answered by nquizzitiv 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
um didnt they evolve in seperate time periods? i mean dont get me wrong maybe one of them created a time machine, or found a wormhole through a porthole in space and time, traveled forwards and them mated with the other one........
now i have a compelling question of my own,, has anybody tried to download me so horney? i keep trying but the file always sticks at like 40%,,,,.////// hep me
2006-08-25 02:28:50 · answer #4 · answered by darkangel1111 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Yes, but there is no evidence that it ever happened.
2006-08-25 02:34:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
....haven't you left out Australopithicus?....
..Nah just joshin'...diferent time periods my friend...no can do.
2006-08-25 02:32:14 · answer #6 · answered by Todd's 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
http://www.archaeology.org/online/news/neanderkid.html
http://cogweb.ucla.edu/ep/Neanderthal.html
http://biology.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0020449
2006-08-25 02:31:44 · answer #7 · answered by Somechicknamednicole 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋