It's time for the human evolution weekly update, bringing you all the latest stories about our ancestors. It's like a google alert, only without any of the random racist threads from Stormfront. So in other words, infinitely better.
- What did Neanderthals sound like? Turns out exactly like a Monty Python character; at least according to a rather hilarious BBC reconstruction. Although the generalities they talk about (e.g. nasaly) probably have a grain of truth to them, their little simulation is too inaccurate to produce anything more than a funny noise.
- Genetic data may change how we view our species. Previously we used a rather strict set of criteria to separate our species from others (see picture above), but new genetic data implies our species may have evolved before some of those critera; suggesting they actually aren't that useful (read more).
- Do your friends influence your health? In baboons, the answer is yes. Scientists have found that social networks were strong predictors of the composition of the gut biome; suggesting physical proximity and regular interaction can change your internal health. Also, clearly they don't have that great hygiene (source).
- Did Neanderthals hunt mammoths? It's a popular myth; and don't worry it isn't going the way of Pluto. However, a review of European sites reveals that it wasn't a significant, regular part of their diet. Rather, they were opportunistic mammoth hunters. I guess we can't blame the Neanderthals for their disappearance then (sauce).
- Narikotome boy is one of the most complete Homo erectus fossils ever found. As his name suggests he was just a boy; yet already almost as tall as an adult human. This led to early reconstructions suggesting our ancestors were giants, possibly over 2 m tall. Over the years that estimate has been revised downwards as we learnt more about the species; with it finally being put to bed with a new recalculation that suggests he wouldn't have grown to be taller than 180 cm (or ~6 foot) (sawce).
