I have a theory, probably not a good one but one I have...?

Question

Way back in our history there were two types of what could be loosely described as humany. The homo sapiens and the neanderthals. Scientists believe that we evolved from apes including chimpanzees. This is my theory....... Because homo sapiens had the ability of speech they could communicate better with each other so were able to make plans (of a fashion) and work together. The poor neanderthal had no voice box so could only grunt..... I reckon Homo sapiens started to wipe out the neanderthal to a point where the neanderthals had to hide in the trees. I believe that the reason chimps are so close to us is not because we evolved from them but that they are who the neanderthals evolved into because they were forced to. Does anyone else have their own theories on this...?

Answer 1

Well, it's nice to see that you have been thinking about it, well done, but I'm afraid that your theory is so full of holes, only a creationist would take it seriously, and as they believe god made every species, even they would chuck it out!

Just to work through what you say;
'Loosely described as humanity' - nothing loose about it - Homo Sapiens and Homo Neadertallis are both members of the hominids.

There is no evidence that Neanderthals were dumb, far from it. Their voice box was not as developed and they didn't have the full range that we enjoy, but they almost certainly had a developed language.
They were no more arboreal that we are. And you seem to be confused as to the nature of natural selection; what you are suggesting here is Lamarckism.
Finally, No one says we evolved from Chimps. That is a very common fallacy, but the fact is that humans and chimps share a common ancestor, that we, chimps, Neanderthals and other primates evolved from. There were chimps around at the same time as Neanderthals. In fact, the Neanderthals were very, very recent in geological terms. Neanderthal DNA is being recovered, and research will soon shed light on whether they interbred with Cro-Magnons (Us) - a lot of people are starting to suspect that, rather than the 'wiped out by modern humans' theory, they simply merged with our population. If that is the case, you could have Neanderthal genes yourself! It certainly is not the case that the Neanderthals were lumbering, inferior ape men just waiting to be replaced by us 'Wise Men'. They were tougher, and had bigger brains!

Answer 2

Sorry to shoot your theory down in flames (well, not really...scientific culture is all about scoring points off others, after all) but Neandertal remains are found exclusively in Europe and parts of the Middle East, whereas chimpanzees are found only in Africa - how would they have made the move back to Africa?

Just one point to mention, there are others but that's the most obvious one that jumps out and doesn't require me to go and look up textbooks and papers for corroborating evidence and information!

I do think you have a glimmer of a point when it comes to communication though, more effective communication could well have been a factor in the ability of H. sapiens to out-compete H. neanderthalensis. I don't think you'll find much evidence though, that modern humans actively hunted down neandertals, they were just more successful at occupying roughly the same ecological niche (think about grey squirrels out-competing the native reds in most of the UK, it's the same sort of situation.) I'm pretty confident that neandertals just went extinct though, rather than returning to the trees - they showed more climate specific adaptations to the harsher climate of paleolithic Europe than modern humans do, so I think it highly unlikely they would have been able to make it as an arboreal tropical species.

Answer 3

I have a similar point of view and sympathy for the neanderthals. It was recently discovered that there was, indeed an overlap - I was overjoyed to hear that the 'missing link theory' was out the window. Like you I can well imagine Sapiens treating them like lesser beings [nothing changes]. I've no doubt that we did with them as we pleased.

Answer 4

There may be something to the thought that homosapiens killed off the neanderthals because of a more advanced language but for the neanderthals to revert to trees is ridiculous. There is no way that their body type would even allow them to climb trees effectively. They were stalky and powerfully built. They were better built to knock over a tree than climb it.

Answer 5

hey this got me thinking! so are you saying that because the neanderthals were threatened by the homo sapiens, they moved o the trees against their will and because that is their new dwelling place, they have to make the best out of it and try adjust as well thus resulting to the characteristics of chimpanzees and apes nowadays and they are really similar because of their features, characteristics and stuff... i think i agree with you!

Answer 6

1) SCIENTISTS DO NOT THINK WE EVOLVED FROM APES/CHIMPS

WE EVOLVED FROM THE SAME ANCESTOR.

We moved to the plains so evolved into upright walkers, apes/chimps stayed in the trees and didn't.

2) NEANDERTHALS DID HAVE VOICE BOXES

Without one they wouldn't have even been able to grunt

3) NEANDERTHALS EVOLVED AFTER WE SPLIT OFF FROM APES

So there is no onward link from neanderthal to chimp

So your theory is complete rubbish

Answer 7

I don't believe this theory. Chimpanzees are quite different from the Neanderthals.

Answer 8

Archaeological evidence was found proving that the Cro-Magnon ate Neanderthals, i. e. they considered them a lower different species and therefore pray, in much the same way as we consider monkeys. It is no surprise that the species died off.

Answer 9

first off homosapiens and neanderthals lived in different periods and places

second off if you dont have a voice box YOU CANT GRUNT
neanderthals would not have evolved that much w/o more physical evidence
rethink the whole thing (or dont think about it anymore)

Answer 10

Sorry but I think your theory is totally wrong.
Darwin had it right. We are evolved from Primates. You only have to watch them to see the similarities.
Recommend you watch Monkey Business on The Animal Planet.