Re: Speciation - how do you know?

Tim Edwards (tedwards@DialUp.FranceNet.fr)
Fri, 13 Sep 1996 14:01:26 GMT

On 13 Sep 1996 12:22:06 GMT, herwin@osf1.gmu.edu (HARRY R. ERWIN)
wrote:

>Paul Crowley (Paul@crowleyp.demon.co.uk) wrote:
>: In article <5140cp$hsl@portal.gmu.edu>
>
>: > H. neanderthalensis had a number of skeletal specializations
>: > for close-in combat with large mammals . .
>
>: This is sheer fantasy. Combat with aurochs? Or with any large
>: quadruped? If this was how it normally got a significant proportion
>: of its food the life expectation of the average H.n. would be very
>: short.
>
>The build of the average H. neanderthalensis male was off-scale relative
>to H. sapiens. There is also good evidence that they did not use missile
>weapons, but instead had a hunting style that involved closing with the
>prey and fighting it out using a spear. Finally, researchers have
>discovered that the typical skeleton of a mature male has had a _number_
>of very serious accidents (disabling injuries, broken bones, etc.) in its
>lifetime.

Neanderthal injuries resemble (type and frequency) those of modern
rodeo riders. (From a recent isssue of Sciences & Vie.) Yabba Dabba
Yeehaaw!

Tim Edwards 7, rue Albert I
tedwards@DialUp.FranceNet.fr 45000 Orleans, France