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POPSScientists map Neanderthal maternal DNA 38,000 years wasn't that long ago. They became extinct shortly afterward (as far as we know) after dwindling around Western Europe. It's easy to wonder what may have happened if they were isolated in an area that was free of Homo sapiens sapiens (So smart that we have to repeat it to ourselves to remove any doubt.)
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POPSAbout Neanderthals Neanderthals coexisted, was a separate species, and died out or was killed off about 35,000 years ago.
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POPSNeanderthals at Mealtime: Pass the Meat "The study reconfirms previous studies that the Neanderthals were highly carnivorous and fed primarily on large mammals," said Richard Klein, a professor of anthropological sciences in the Department of Biology at Stanford University, adding, "I think it is totally convincing."
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POPSAlien sociology Colonization? A hunt for additional living space? If the former is something aliens do, then they won't wait to hear from us before doing it. The British, after all, didn't begin their colonization of Australia because they had intercepted some aboriginal communications Other suggestions about why they might visit include forestalling competition in the Milky Way marketplace, proselytizing, or just learning more about us. It's not clear that any of these goals requires "killing us," of course, but the logic is wobbly anyway. Any beings that actually could come here will be far beyond us in technological accomplishment. Imagine if you could visit the Neanderthals. Would you worry about commercial competition? Would you give them bibles? Remember: these are (nearly) the same species as you are. The aliens won't be. I dare say you wouldn't try convincing porpoises to join your church. and the reason I say - we got MILK.
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POPSOut of Africa not once, but twice Only twice? Humans are curious creatures. I imagine wandering, and far horizons would have triggered their imaginations and their spread. Not mentioning the fact that humans are prolific breeders. They seem to be trying define something too narrowly that was perhaps a regular sequence. When the place get's too crowded it can be easy to move on and find some clear land, but all you can really say is, here we are.
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POPSJunk DNA tells tales of the pacific The 800 genetic markers studied, described as 'Junk DNA' are also known as 'microsatelites' and can vary a great deal between individuals, and can tell a great deal about a persons identity and history, according to the number of repeated segments. I'm sure they'll find a better name for junk when they discover how it fits into the gene sequence. I have trouble imagining it is there without having a function, or even an effect, but we still have a lot more to learn about DNA than we'd like to admit. Still, it could be like saying there is a reason for fingerprints besides identification. (Maybe grip?)
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