Watson Armour III Curator of Biological Anthropology, The Field Museum, Chicago" An original twist adds an accomplice to the scenario: An unexpectedly early prototype of man s best friend proved to be the Neanderthals worst enemy. Why did the Neanderthals disappear? In a judicious and enthralling account, Shipman makes a compelling case that, as a truly invasive species, humans were the main cause.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title. This alliance between two predator species, she hypothesizes, made possible an unprecedented degree of success in hunting large Ice Age mammals a distinct and ultimately decisive advantage for humans over Neanderthals at a time when climate change made both groups vulnerable." Shipman reveals fascinating confirmation of humans partnership with the first domesticated wolf-dogs soon after Neanderthals first began to disappear. But modern humans were not the only invaders who competed with Neanderthals for big game. Drawing on insights from the field of invasion biology, which predicts that the species ecologically closest to the invasive predator will face the greatest competition, Pat Shipman traces the devastating impact of a growing human population: reduction of Neanderthals geographic range, isolation into small groups, and loss of genetic diversity. Ever since the first Neanderthal bones were identified in 1856, scientists have been vexed by the question, why did modern humans survive while their evolutionary cousins went extinct? The Invaders "musters compelling evidence to show that the major factor in the Neanderthals demise was direct competition with newly arriving humans.
Approximately 200,000 years ago, as modern humans began to radiate out from their evolutionary birthplace in Africa, Neanderthals were already thriving in Europe descendants of a much earlier migration of the African genus Homo." But when modern humans eventually made their way to Europe 45,000 years ago, Neanderthals suddenly vanished. With their large brains, sturdy physique, sophisticated tools, and hunting skills, Neanderthals are the closest known relatives to humans.
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