What happened to the Neanderthals?

One of the great puzzles among scientists (they are called paleoanthropologists) who puzzle over things like this is why the Neanderthals became extinct while the ancestor of modern humans thrived and survived in the same habitat at the same time.

There are a number of theories, but a recent one that is gaining notice is that modern humans domesticated dogs and the Neanderthals didn’t.

The dogs helped the humans hunt more efficiently by locating quarry and boxing it in until the hunters could make the kill. Finding the game is often the most difficult part of hunting. Using dogs would have allowed the hunters to ensure a more plentiful food supply as they refined their skills and their weapons.

There is also evidence that dogs were used to carry the meat from the kill back to the place where the group was living. Even after feeding the dogs, the hunters would have been able to transport heavier loads and save more energy than they would have without the dogs.

Additional food generally has marked effects on the health of a group. Better-fed females can have more babies, can provide them with more milk and can have babies at shorter intervals. Before long, using pack dogs could have caused the human population to increase. American Scientist

Pre-historic dogs may have saved our whole species by domesticating us while we domesticated them.

As time went on dogs were used to guard the homesteads, shepherd the livestock, destroy vermin, and generally allow humans the freedom to build a civilization.

Comments

[Jodi]

I think I read this somewhere in a scientific journal. But it didn't correlate the Neanderthals dying off. It just talked about how the canines helped people evolve and survive.

[Jodi]

What it means is we owe them, big time. :-)

[cube]

Interesting theory. Time will tell.

In my opinion, Neanderthals didn't completely die out. I think they interbred with Cro-Mags and some of their genes are still around.

[Jan]

I think you may be right. They walk among us.

[Jen]

It's neat to think about how dogs and people came together and started working together. You also have to wonder what training methods were used back then!

[Jan]

I'm betting food was involved.

[geogia little pea]

And after all that, we don't allow them into restaurants, national parks and onto public transport. There's gratitude for you ;)

[MelF]

Jan - You share some of the most interesting information! This is so interesting. I had not heard this before, but it actually makes a lot of sense. I have been fascinated by the mystery of why Neatherthals did not thrive (read a book about them).

Thanks for always educating us. Fasinating.

[Foleymonsternadpocket]

Just as I suspected. The Neanderthals were cat people.

[yellowdoggranny]

we still have neanderthals ..they're called Republicans now.

[Jerry]

Neanderthals now live and work at the White House when they leave Chicago their home base.

[Linda]

I would rather NOT be a Neanderthals...bring on the dogs!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

[Pamela]

So is anyone else wondering if the Neanderthals put all their time into trying to herd cats?

[Tom Wilder]

I think that your blog is really nice!