Got red hair? ....

[Anstapa]

Then your ancestors might have been Neanderthals.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7062415.stm

Anstapa

[swizzlestick]

Actually, as the article points out, our ancestors were not Neanderthals. But it's a very interesting article. Thanks!

[jkwest]

Then your ancestors might have been Neanderthals.

Anstapa

Awesome...and to think some scientist thinks I came from a monkey..

[djm]

Orangs have red hair. Maybe they are the connection .....

djm

[chas]

20+ years ago I asked my Irish friend, since there aren't any snakes in Ireland, are there any dangerous species? He replied, "Only the redheads."

[Walden]

Anyone find it odd that the artist chose to represent the red-headed Neandertal with distinctly sub-Saharan African facial features?

[CountryKitty]

Actually, as the article points out, our ancestors were not Neanderthals. But it's a very interesting article. Thanks!

Not to contradict that article...um, well...OK, I AM contradicting it...I saw a progra on neanderthals a couple years back that discussed the fact that they and homo sapiens existed at the same time. During the last 10 minutes or so the program mentioned that a skeleton had been found which had distinct characteristics of both species. So it is possible that some of us really are related to cavemen.

(My first boyfriend comes to mind for some reason....)

[Jack]

Anyone find it odd that the artist chose to represent the red-headed Neandertal with distinctly sub-Saharan African facial features?

I actually noticed that but I couldn't figure out what was odd about it. Now that you pointed it out I see it.

[djm]

I also remember a tv show that asked that question about neanderthings. It used Lisbon as an example, citing how Lisbon's population at one time had a significantly large portion of blacks living there. There is no known history of them being killed off or deported. So where'd they go? Most likely absorbed and interbred into the local population, was the answer they gave. The suggestion was that the same could have happened with the neanderthings.

djm

[Lambchop]

Anyone find it odd that the artist chose to represent the red-headed Neandertal with distinctly sub-Saharan African facial features?

I'm not sure this is some sort of political statement, no.

Given that there are no photographs or professionally done portraits of them, the artist would be forced to rely on likenesses found in photographs he does have.

That gives him a range of choices:

1. Asian
2. Caucasian
3. Sub-Saharan African
4. Pygmy Marmoset
5. Igrok from Planet Zeta
6. Fruit

Given that biometrical measurements of Neanderthal skulls have shown a tendency toward features not found in 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 . . . well, there you are with sub-Saharan African.

Or, he could have just gone with pictures from old National Geographics.

But it certainly could serve as a focal point for controversy!

[s1m0n]

During the last 10 minutes or so the program mentioned that a skeleton had been found which had distinct characteristics of both species. So it is possible that some of us really are related to cavemen.

That's a much argued about skeleton. I believe the camp that's carrying the day is the one that says it's a juvenile neanderthal, not a hybrid.

[CountryKitty]

Really? OK, that ought not surprise me I guess...after all, the reason Neanderthals are depicted as stooped over was that the first complete skeleton found was stooped in posture...it was later realized it was from an older male with either severe arthritis or back problems (I forget which).