In my blog post this week I am going to focus on the scientist’s findings of the Neanderthals and the affect that is had on the way human evolution has been looked at. The Neanderthals had distinctive features that set them out from the rest. One of these features were found in their skeleton remain. In the remains an “occipital bun” this means that in the back of the skull a protuberance bone was located which is in the back of the skull and the craning is rounded. This is a more modern look and also it is found that they have a brain size of 1520 ccs. they have big faces, no chins small teeth and large molars. The finding has given scientist an opportunity to see just how our closest relative evolved and the behaviors that lead them to evolve. It also gives scientists a chance to compare them to us modern day humans as well as some other species.

              For example, the Neanderthals were said to have large noses, this was helpful in cold, dry areas, so we can also see that scientists can conclude things about how the environment affected physical features. Also, scientists can learn not only about the environment but about cultural behaviors, traditions and creativity as well. For example, some findings showed that theNeanderthals participated in funerals basically because it was found that they buried one another. Also, fossil findings showed that they were companionate. Not only where they buried with things such as food and flowers, but in the findings, there were also wounded and healed individuals. This suggest compassion because it shows that they cared enough to care for, and in some instances where conditions where debilitating they completely made sure individuals survived. speaking of age, very little elders were found. This suggest that making it to old age was a rear occurrence for the Neanderthals leading scientist to conclude that life was hard, cold and brittle. Another thing would be the finding of the three year old boy. The young boy was three, but his development was showing the development of a modern boy who would be around 4-5 years of age. From this scientist were able to conclude that children did not have a lot of time to learn and pick up the skills they needed to survive over a “child hood period” and they had to grow up fast , so fast that is showed in their physical development. On another note a really cool finding is the gene related to speech that is present in humans today as well as them, it gives scientist another chance to compare us and better compare evolution. From them we have learned how our environments and the behaviors they force can affect the development we have and the rate at which that progresses.
           In my opinion the biggest contribution it has made to the study of human diversity is our will and our flexibility to adapt. It shows just how the human will conquer any environment despite the challenges they are thrown at us.