--- In Nostratica@yahoogroups.com, "Gerry <waluk@...>" <waluk@...>
wrote:

> Just had a thought. Why don't we count Neanderthals as Native
> Europeans? The time period appears to be correct. Thus, not only
> are East and West Europeans descendants of Neanderthals, so then

are

> the North and South Americans! This thought should cause Ian
> Tattersall to shudder in his boots since he's trying to prove that
> Neanderthals are a separate species (with the current exhibit at

the

> MNH).

As far as I am aware, studies of genetic diversity indicate that the
amount of Neanderthal ancestry in modern man is *undetectable*. I
believe that attempts have been made to examine Neanderthal mtDNA,
and that it has been reported that it's very different to H.[s.]
Sapiens mtDNA. It's conceivable that a few highly advantageous
traits may have been derived from them; many species boundaries are
slightly permeable.

As far as I am aware, H.s.s is the only hominid to have made it to
the Americas. I am aware of suggestions that the Amerindians
replaced earlier colonists.

Richard.