Neanderthal brains measure up to ours—literally

New research suggests Neanderthal brains were structurally similar to modern humans, with differences likely superficial rather than cognitive. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Neanderthal brains measure up to ours—literally

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The long-held assumption that Neanderthals possessed fundamentally inferior brains to modern humans may be little more than a prehistoric prejudice, according to emerging research. A study published this week indicates that the cognitive hardware of our closest extinct relatives was remarkably similar to our own, with any differences being largely cosmetic rather than functional. The findings challenge decades of evolutionary theory that positioned Neanderthals as cognitively deficient compared to Homo sapiens. Researchers analyzed cranial capacities and brain structures from fossil remains, concluding that Neanderthal brains were not only comparable in size but also organized in ways that suggest similar cognitive capabilities. The study’s lead author noted that the notion of Neanderthal intellectual inferiority has been overstated, with new evidence pointing to a more nuanced picture of human evolution. For generations, the popular image of Neanderthals has been that of brutish, simple-minded cavemen, overshadowed by the superior intellect of modern humans. This narrative has been used to explain the Neanderthals’ eventual extinction around 40,000 years ago, often attributed to competition with Homo sapiens. However, the latest research suggests that if Neanderthals did fade from the fossil record, it was not due to a lack of brainpower. The study highlights that Neanderthal brains were shaped differently, with a slightly more elongated form compared to the rounder shape of modern human brains. Yet these morphological differences, the researchers argue, likely had minimal impact on cognitive function. Instead, they may reflect adaptations to different environments or lifestyles, such as the colder, harsher climates of Ice Age Europe. This revelation has significant implications for understanding human evolution and our relationship with Neanderthals. It suggests that interbreeding between Neanderthals and early modern humans, which left traces of Neanderthal DNA in many people today, may have been more than just a biological encounter—it could have involved shared intellectual capacities. The findings also raise questions about what truly drove Neanderthals...

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Categoria: cronaca