Neandertals, Denisovans & Modern Human Evolution: Key Concepts and Evidence

What species were Neandertals classified as?

Homo neanderthalensis

Where did Neandertals primarily live?

Europe and western Asia

When did Neandertals first appear?

Approximately 400,000 years ago

When did Neandertals disappear?

35,000-40,000 years ago

Did Neandertals go extinct before modern humans arrived?

No, they coexisted and interacted with modern humans.

What is the cranial capacity of Neandertals?

Approximately 1350-1400 cm³

Describe the skull shape of Neandertals.

Long and low, with heavy brow ridges and a receding forehead.

What anatomical features indicate Neandertals were adapted to cold climates?

Short, stocky build, thick limb bones, and wide rib cage.

What evidence suggests Neandertals exhibited care and compassion?

Shanidar 1 had severe injuries but lived many years with assistance.

What burial evidence indicates Neandertal ritual behavior?

Intentional placement of bodies at sites like Shanidar, Amud, and Tabun.

What were common life conditions for Neandertals?

Short lifespan, physically demanding lives, frequent injuries, and arthritis.

What are the main explanations for the decline of Neandertals?

Out-competed by Homo sapiens, climate fluctuations, and assimilation.

What are key traits of modern humans (Homo sapiens)?

Rounded cranium, vertical forehead, reduced brow ridges, and pronounced chin.

What model describes the migration of Homo sapiens from Africa?

Out of Africa (Replacement Model)

What is the Partial Replacement / Assimilation Model?

Homo sapiens evolved in Africa, migrated, and interbred with local hominins.

When was the Neandertal genome published?

2010

What percentage of Neandertal DNA is found in modern Eurasians?

1-4%

Where were Denisovans discovered?

Denisova Cave in Siberia

What evidence do we have of Denisovans?

A finger bone and two teeth, dated to ~50,000-30,000 years ago.

What percentage of Denisovan DNA is found in Melanesians and Aboriginal Australians?

5-6%

What is a significant finding regarding Neandertal and Denisovan interbreeding?

The first known hominin hybrid had a Neandertal mother and Denisovan father.

What are the key migration dates for modern humans out of Africa?

Africa to Middle East: ~100-120 kya, Europe: ~40-50 kya, Australia: ~50-40 kya, Americas: ~15,000 years ago.

Are humans still evolving?

Yes, evolution never stops; selection pressures and technology change how we evolve.

What is a key takeaway about Neandertals and modern humans?

Neandertals were complex, social, and intelligent; modern humans did not replace everyone cleanly.

What does genetic evidence confirm about human evolution?

Human evolution is branching, not linear, with interbreeding occurring among different hominin species.