No matter how far back you trace your family tree, you won't find Neanderthals among your ancestors, according to a study published in the current "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences." Recent computer analysis of skulls from modern humans, Neanderthals, monkeys, and apes, show enough physical differences between them to indicate that Neanderthals should be considered a separate species from Homo sapiens, not a subspecies, according to the study's lead author, Katerina Harvati of New York University. Other Neanderthal remains (dating between 42,000 to 28,000 years ago) seem to indicate that Neanderthals were evolving a more human anatomy at the time of their extinction, according to research published in the "Journal of Human Evolution" in December 2003. These human-like features have led some to suggest major interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans - an interesting and controversial enough conclusion that author Jean Auel even used it as a plot device for her popular Earth's Children series of novels.

Dr. Jim Ahern, professor of biological anthropology at the University of Wyoming, disagrees with this interpretation, suggesting instead that Neanderthals and modern humans were evolving in the same manner in response to common environmental pressures because they were part of a larger human species. Anthropologist Dr. Richard Klein of Stanford University agrees, saying "there's no convincing evidence that Neanderthals and modern humans ever mixed in substantial numbers."

Another new study on life in Europe from 60,000 to 25,000 years ago also addresses Neanderthals, coming to the conclusion that our early Homo sapien ancestors were more technologically advanced and may have had some influence over the extinction of Neanderthal man - basically winning the prehistoric battle for survival.

Related Resources: Genetic Genealogy | Human Origins