Extinction of our Last Rivals, Homo Neanderthalensis Levi Johnston

Hypothesis Models What led to the extinction of Homo Neanderthalensis? – Disease Model – Interbreeding Model – Genocide Model – Competition Model

Disease Model Wolff & Greenwood Cannibalism – Kuru Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies – “Mad Neanderthal Disease”

Interbreeding Model R.E. Green, et al. Human- Neanderthal hybrid European ancestry – Up to 4% genomic similarity

Genocide Model Competitive disadvantages – Shorter legs – Larger joints Friction – Thicker bones Heavier

Competition Model

Extinction Human Population Trap Coexistence Renewable Resources Neanderthal Population Competition Model J.R. Faria

Conclusion nothing inevitable “There was nothing inevitable about the triumph of the Moderns, and a twist of Pleistocene fate could have left the Neanderthals occupying Europe to this day.” -Dr. Stringer & Dr. Gamble

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