Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Modern Humans Essay
Modern Humans Essay
March 9, 2017
Elizabeth Ragan
ANTH 102-001
ModernHumansEssay
When analyzing any archaic remains it is important to first determine which species
prehistoric human remains are an especially challenging area of expertise for archaeologists
because they must establish where the modern human begins and all other evolutionary forms
end while also remaining mindful to not mix primitive remains with similar looking primate
ones. Homo sapiens are one of multiple organisms of the species hominins. The theory or idea
that Neanderthals and Denisovans were the predecessor to the Homo sapiens has been debated
for over a century; however recent genetic and DNA evidence provides proof that interbreeding
occurred among the various groups. As a result, most modern humans have either Neanderthal,
Denisovan or a third unnamed human groups DNA as part of their gene pool. The genomic
markers uncovered by Svante Pbo provides evidence of interbreeding among the varying
groups; a key element in defining a species. Based on the prevailing theories of the origination of
modern man, I believe that it is more appropriate to view Neanderthals, Denisovans, Homo
sapiens and the unnamed hominin as different races rather than a different species.
similarities and their ability to interbreed while acknowledging their physical and social
Eurasia thousands of years prior to the migration of Homo sapiens to the continent, however
once they were in the same location the two groups could live in the same geographic location
encounter each other, engage in intercourse and produce offspring. This is much like different
races living in the same neighborhood, frequenting the same establishments and deciding to
engage in intercourse that results in the creation of a child. Much like modern humans of
different races cohabitate and produce offspring, either by choice or by force, so to did the
provides a lens to examine human diversity. When analyzing Pbos article detailing the genetic
comparison of the Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Homo Sapiens he mentioned the existence of
Neanderthals, Denisovans, and other groups, who were linked by limited, but intermittent or
even persistent gene flow. (Pbo, 2015) The existence of genes from Neanderthal, Denisovans
References Cited
Mooallemjan, J. (2017, January 11). Neanderthals Were People, Too. The New
York Times Magazine, 25.
Pbo, S. (2015, June). The diverse origins of the human gene pool. Nature
Reviews Genetics, 16, 313-314