Not sure why Neanderthals have suddenly become the main topic of
discussion on Conch-l..... but at any rate i would just like to add a
couple of things: 1) recent mitochondrial DNA research aside,  the
question of interbreeding between the Homo sapiens and H. neanderthalis
is still QUITE open for debate in the arcane world of human ancestry -
it is by no means a "done deal" that we don't have some Neanderthal
forefathers!!, and 2) They DO appear to have had the wherewithal for
complex speech and abstract reasoning similar to our species.... recent
research has found clear indications that the portion of the humanoid
brain responsible for speech, was as well developed for neanderthalis as
for sapiens: they appear to have been more "human" than many would feel
comfortable admitting!!

Cheers from a decidedly chilly fall night in New Scotland,
Ross Mayhew.

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