Denai White

March 9, 2017

Elizabeth Ragan

ANTH 102-001

ModernHumansEssay

When analyzing any archaic remains it is important to first determine which species

youve unearthed and whether it is a variation or subspecies of something else. Investigating

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.

Defining these groups as different races acknowledges both their physiological

similarities and their ability to interbreed while acknowledging their physical and social

relationship differences. Scientists ascertained that Neanderthals and Denisovans migrated to

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

Neanderthal, the Denisovan and Homo sapiens.

The acknowledgement of multiple groups contributing to the origin of modern human

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

hominin metapopulation which is defined as a web of different hominin populations including

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

and other unnamed hominins displays biological diversity among humans

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