The Neanderthals: A History from Beginning to End (Prehistory)

by Hourly History

Modern studies note that the vocal tract of Neanderthals was shorter and wider than that of a modern male human—it's closer in size and shape to modern female vocal tracts, suggesting that Neanderthals may have had a vocal range that was notably higher than that of Homo sapiens.

Modern techniques such as DNA analysis tell us that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens probably shared a common ancestor called Homo erectus.

In fact, until around 70,000 years ago, the world was divided into two separate human populations: the more numerous Neanderthals occupied most of Europe and Asia, while the smaller number of Homo sapiens lived in Africa.

it may even be evidence of a single, blended culture emerging. We also have one very significant

DNA analysis of Homo sapiens remains from 40,000 years ago found that they had up to 9% Neanderthal DNA, and analysis of modern people showed that they have anything from 1 to 4% Neanderthal DNA. Of course, that can only be the result of interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. However, this does not apply to modern humans who originate from Africa—they have no Neanderthal DNA. This appears to confirm that interaction between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals took place outside Africa and involved only Homo sapiens that had left Africa.

What is fascinating is that this individual had also been eating poplar bark and moldy plant material. Poplar bark contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient in modern aspirin. The moldy plant material contained traces of Penicillium fungus, the root of the modern penicillin antibiotic.

A number of paintings in caves in Spain have been dated to over 65,000 years ago, well before there is any evidence of Homo sapiens in the area.