Chapter 12 ( Monique Proverbs)

In chapter 12, Neanthethal bones were found in Neander Valley and across Europe and the Middle East. There are some theories that the Neantherthal extinction happened because of diseases but was mainly because of human causes. Humans had arrived in Europe over 400,000years ago and out competed the Neanthethals. This connects to Darwin’s theory that through evolution some species adapt better than others. A sweedish scientist had did experiments on the Neantherthals and concluded that their DNA is similar to a mordern day human’s DNA. It was also found that humans had a mutation which allowed them better advantage over the Neanthethals. What was this mutation? How was it so huge that humans were able to cause Neatherthals to go extinct? Kolbert also visits the  Leipzig Zoo where she sees the results of an experiment comparing chimps to children The results showed the children were better at social ques. Kolbert also says that Neathethals were able to migrate but stopped when they got to the ocean. Humans on the other hand were able to buld ships and other innovations to help them travel. Kolbert says that only a small genetic divides humans from Neanthethals. It’s mind bottling that the one little mutation that seperates Neanthethals and humans have a big impact on the world today and how it allows humans to be ahead of the Anthropocene era.