Quote:
Originally Posted by maddog
Both are excellent books describing the genetic research using Mitochondrial DNA to determine
who is related to whom. In the first book, Bryan show how in Europe and elsewhere that
Neanderthals are not in any way our ancestors. There in particular was No "sharing" of
genes or genetic mixing going on between Cro-Magnon and Neandertal peoples.
Personally, I was thinking there may have been a latent mix. Bryan assures me this was
not the case.
I am reading the second book now. Both appear to be fascinating books. 
maddog |
Besides the fact that this is still a heated controversy and by no means decided yet there is some empirical progress.
Research News: Neanderthal Genome Sequencing Yields Surprising Results and Opens a New Door to Future Studies
Human Brain Carries at Least One Neanderthal Gene - This gene must have been useful in adapting to Eurasian climate - Softpedia
Many Scientists are looking forward to attempting to determine, once the map is complete and compared to Cro Magnon, whether it is likely that instead of Cro Magnon being more modern in certain areas such as speech, it may be that Neandethal either taught speech to Cro Magnon or greatly advanced it. Some genetic evidence might corroborate the logic based on weapons that Neanderthal needed to cooperate during hunting since it was up close and personal and implies multiple hunters on one animal whereas the background and lighter, throwable spears imply Cro Magnon were more individualistic and less in need of communication and cooperation to survive.
Biology isn't my best subject but I recall that the book and PBS sponsored documentary titled "The Journey of Man" makes the case for eschewing mitochondrial DNA in favor of following markers on the Y chromosome for additional information not possible through mDNA. More here:
The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We may never know some details but the gap between conjecture and knowledge is beginning to close some.
