Neanderthals were a species of archaic humans who lived in Europe and parts of Asia from approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. They possessed several physical characteristics that distinguished them from modern humans. Some notable features of Neanderthals include:
- Robust Build: Neanderthals had a stocky and muscular build, adapted for cold environments. They typically had a more robust skeleton compared to modern humans, with shorter limbs and a shorter, wider trunk.
- Cranial Features: Neanderthals had a distinctive skull shape. Their skulls were elongated from front to back, with a low, sloping forehead. The mid-face region was projecting, and they had a prominent brow ridge or supraorbital ridge above the eye sockets.
- Large Brain: Neanderthals had relatively large brains, with an average cranial capacity larger than that of modern humans. The average cranial capacity of Neanderthals was around 1,500 to 1,700 cubic centimeters, compared to approximately 1,350 to 1,450 cubic centimeters for modern humans.
- Strong Jaw and Teeth: Neanderthals had a robust jaw and large, projecting front teeth. Their molars were large and well-suited for grinding tough and fibrous foods.
- Adaptations to Cold: Neanderthals lived in regions with cold climates, and their physical features reflected adaptations to these environments. They had a stocky build, which helped them conserve heat, and they likely had a thick layer of body fat and a dense covering of body hair.
It is important to note that while Neanderthals had distinct physical characteristics, they were a separate species but still closely related to modern humans. They shared a common ancestor with Homo sapiens (modern humans) and had some genetic interbreeding with early humans, as evidenced by the presence of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of present-day non-African populations.
What is your opinion about the IJ haplogroup, exclusive to Western Eurasia…
It’s a candidate for the original lineage of Rh-
We’re the native Caucasoid haplogroup, makes sense that we’re the most different from all the rest