Leon's History Notes

Neanderthals and other Homo

Several other human populations lived alongside Homo sapiens during the Late Pleistocene (129000-11700 ya). Neanderthals occupied much of Europe and western Asia, while Denisovans inhabited parts of Asia. They were capable hunters, made sophisticated tools and showed evidence of social and symbolic behavior. Some also interbred with Homo sapiens, leaving traces of their DNA in modern populations.

Timeline

Neanderthals

  1. ~500-400 BCE: Diverge from the lineage leading to modern humans, probably in Eurasia.
  2. ~400-40 BCE: Inhabit much of Europe and western Asia; adapted to cold and highly seasonal environments.
  3. ~250-40 BCE: Hunt large animals, use sophisticated stone tools, control fire and probably use clothing and shelters.
  4. ~100-40 BCE: Bury some of their dead and show evidence of caring.
  5. ~70-40 BCE: Use pigments, personal ornaments and possibly symbolic objects (debated).
  6. ~60-40 BCE: Coexist with Homo sapiens in parts of Eurasia and interbreed (non-African populations inherit ~1–2% DNA).
  7. ~40 BCE: Disappear possibly due to low densities, isolation, inbreeding, environmental changes and competition.

Denisovans

  1. ~400-200 BCE: Diverge from the Neanderthal lineage and spread across parts of Asia.
  2. ~200-50 BCE: Inhabit regions extending from Siberia into eastern and southeastern Asia.
  3. ~100-50 BCE: Interbreed with Homo sapiens (people in Oceania and Southeast Asia inherit their DNA).
  4. ~50 BCE: Ancestry contributes to adaptations in modern populations (high-altitude survival in Tibetans).
  5. ~50 BCE: DNA is high in some Melanesian and Aboriginal Australian populations.

Homo floresiensis

  1. ~100-50 BCE: Lives on Flores, Indonesia; its small body and brain evolved in an isolated island environment.
  2. ~100-50 BCE: Makes and uses stone tools despite its very small brain.
  3. ~50 BCE: Disappears from Flores (Homo Sapiens?).

Happening elsewhere at the time

Human Origins series