The Similarities Between Neanderthals And Modern Humans

Home neanderthalensis (or Neanderthals) are the closest prehistoric relatives of humans (1). They were believed to have co-existed with modern humans in Europe and Asia. The physical characteristics of these Neanderthals are different from modern humans in some ways. Some experts say that this is due to evolution. There are different theories regarding their connection with the modern humans, as well as their disappearance from the face of the Earth. There is a number of Neanderthal fossils that were discovered from different parts of the world mainly in Eurasia. Two of these are the fossils found in Kebara Cave and El Sidron Cave.
Neanderthals were recognized as a distinct group of hominids after the discovery of fossils 150 years ago at
The similarities among these fossils were described and have been generalized. The physical characteristics of Neanderthals include massive limb bones, barrel chest, thick bone ridges, huge protruding face and nose, receding forehead, an absence of a well-dignified chin, bun-like bulge on the back of the skull, and slightly larger brain than humans. These physical traits suggest that Neanderthals were brutal species (4). The figure below showed the comparison between the skulls of the modern humans and
Out-of-Africa theory of human evolution suggests that modern human co-existed and replaced the Neanderthals population. This can be seen in the mitochondrial DNA sequencing done by several scientists. There were analyses recently that strongly support the gene flow between Neanderthals and modern humans in Eurasia, but not in Africa (6). One of the most important parts of doing a DNA analysis is their teeth. It contains a permanent record of growth of both humans and Neanderthals. A study by the scientists using a Neanderthal tooth has found no difference between their growth pattern and that of a human. In 2006, Paabo and his colleagues had traced nearly million letters of their DNA