Question

Up to this point, the fossil record suggests that: ______________.

a. Neanderthals and Homo sapiens were constantly battling over available resources.
b. Neanderthals and Homo sapiens coexisted, perhaps for a period of several thousand years.
c. Neanderthals and Homo sapiens joined forces against bands of australopiths when they invaded eastern Europe.
d. Neanderthals were better adapted to hunting their prey on expansive grasslands than Homo sapiens, who died off after the Ice Age set in.

Answer 1

The fossil record suggests that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens coexisted for thousands of years, and interbreeding occurred, contributing to the Neanderthal DNA present in modern human populations. The extinction of Neanderthals may have been due to a combination of factors, including competition with Homo sapiens.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fossil record suggests that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens coexisted, perhaps for a period of several thousand years. This coexistence included instances of interbreeding, as evidenced by DNA analysis showing that modern European and Middle Eastern populations have up to 4 percent Neanderthal DNA. Competing theories exist regarding how Neanderthals went extinct around 35,000 to 50,000 years ago, with some theories highlighting competition for resources, changes in climate, and interactions with Homo sapiens, who had more complex technologies and social structures.

It appears that Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens may have interacted in ways beyond conflict, potentially even merging at some level, given the genetic evidence we see today. It’s important to note that while Neanderthals were well-adapted to cold climates due to their robust physiques, Homo sapiens sapiens had advantages in technology and social structure that may have given them an upper hand as the climate began to change.