Latest news with #Neanderthal-like
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
140,000-Year-Old Skull Suggests Ancient Human-Neanderthal Hybrid: Study
Researchers shed new light on a skull, belonging to a young child, found almost 100 years ago in Skhul Cave on Mount Carmel in Israel. The skull, likely of a girl, was part of mysterious human remains found at a 140,000-year-old burial site. In a new study, published in the July-August issue of the journal L'Anthropologie, Anne Dambricourt Malasse at the Institute of Human Paleontology in France and her colleagues suggested that the skull, estimated to be 3-5 years old, could have been a cross between modern humans and Neanderthals. "This study is maybe the first that has put the Skhul child's remains on a scientific basis," John Hawks at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who wasn't involved in the new research, said as quoted by New Scientist. "The old reconstruction and associated work, literally set in plaster, did not really enable anyone to compare this child with a broader array of recent children to understand its biology." 140,000-year-old child's skull may have been part modern human, part Neanderthal — but not everyone is convinced #archaeology #Anthropology #science #SciChat — Gary McFarlane (@GaryM) July 12, 2025 The middle section of the skull's face and a large part of the base were missing. Meanwhile, the rest was in pieces. The braincase shows modern features typical of Homo sapiens. The researchers found the mandible had distinct Neanderthal characteristics. The jaw was also more Neanderthal-like, with a lack of chin. When the remains were unearthed, scientists then consolidated the pieces with plaster in an attempt to put the skull back together, making it difficult to study. Now, the researchers used modern CT scanning techniques to get a new and detailed look, suggesting that the child might be a hybrid of modern humans and Neanderthals. However, others argue it's premature to conclude without DNA evidence. Some scientists believe the skull's features could represent variability within Homo sapiens rather than hybridisation. "Even if not 1st-generation hybrids, it's certainly possible that the Skhul fossils reflect some gene flow between the 2 populations," Chris Stringer, a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London who was not involved in the study, told Live Science. "Overall though, looking at all the material, including the skeletons, the material still primarily aligns with Homo sapiens, in my view." If confirmed as a hybrid, it would imply that Neanderthals and modern humans interbred more extensively than previously thought. It would change our understanding of human evolution. Studies suggest there was cross-population gene flow between Neanderthals and humans around 100,000 years ago, which could have resulted in the mixed features observed in the Skhul child. "I have long thought that hybridisations were not viable and I continue to think that they were mostly abortive," says Malasse. "This skeleton reveals that they were nevertheless possible, even though this little girl lived only 5 years."
Hamilton Spectator
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Book Review: ‘Whack Job' tells the story of a simple survival tool turned murder weapon
From the murder of a Neanderthal-like man to the infamous Lizzie Borden, 'Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder' provides a sarcastic, witty and quirky look at the history of a rather simple tool often found at the scene of a crime: an axe. Rachel McCarthy James spends each chapter of 'Whack Job' detailing an instance where 'axe murder' has occurred, but for true crime fans the book might not make the cut. Instead of looking at the gory details and dramatizing events, James examines the social-economic, political issues and human nature that caused these individuals to befall their fate to an axe. As such, the book, while having a true crime element, is ultimately a history crash course on the axe's evolution — from a survival tool in 430,000 BCE to a modern-day weapon of murder. Still, this is what makes the book intriguing — even if, like me, you were hoping it would dive deeper into the axe murder itself. James has fun with the topic, describing what makes the axe the perfect weapon in each instance, keeping the true crime fan in me thoroughly engaged. A book such as this, focused on history and facts, could become tedious to a casual reader, but James knows how to disarm readers with properly timed humor and quippy theories. True crime fan or not, James' book is a great primer of 'axe murder' in all its shapes and forms ___ AP book reviews:
Winnipeg Free Press
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Book Review: ‘Whack Job' tells the story of a simple survival tool turned murder weapon
From the murder of a Neanderthal-like man to the infamous Lizzie Borden, 'Whack Job: A History of Axe Murder' provides a sarcastic, witty and quirky look at the history of a rather simple tool often found at the scene of a crime: an axe. Rachel McCarthy James spends each chapter of 'Whack Job' detailing an instance where 'axe murder' has occurred, but for true crime fans the book might not make the cut. Instead of looking at the gory details and dramatizing events, James examines the social-economic, political issues and human nature that caused these individuals to befall their fate to an axe. As such, the book, while having a true crime element, is ultimately a history crash course on the axe's evolution — from a survival tool in 430,000 BCE to a modern-day weapon of murder. Still, this is what makes the book intriguing — even if, like me, you were hoping it would dive deeper into the axe murder itself. James has fun with the topic, describing what makes the axe the perfect weapon in each instance, keeping the true crime fan in me thoroughly engaged. A book such as this, focused on history and facts, could become tedious to a casual reader, but James knows how to disarm readers with properly timed humor and quippy theories. True crime fan or not, James' book is a great primer of 'axe murder' in all its shapes and forms Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. ___ AP book reviews:
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Science
- The Independent
How the discovery of an ancient stone tool could rewrite human history
Neanderthal-like stone tools, made using the Quina method, have been discovered in China, challenging the conventional understanding of human evolution in East Asia. This discovery disputes the idea that the Middle Stone Age (between 300,000-30,000 years ago) was a period of stagnation in East Asia, while Europe and Africa saw significant advancements. A Quina stone scraper, thick and asymmetrical with a broad and sharp working edge, was found with clear signs of use and resharpening. Researchers are uncertain whether this technology was introduced to East Asia by westward migration or developed independently. Further investigation, including the search for ancient human remains, may reveal whether this technology is linked to Neanderthals, Denisovans, or even an unknown human ancestor.
