Richard:

> 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.

Yes, I am familiar with the genetic studies comparing Neanderthal
with modern man. These favor a "similarity". I'm also aware of
mtDNA studies which apparently "prove" the opposite. I tend to think
that Neanderthal is simply an older more environmentally adapted
version of Homo sapiens. Actually most Neanderthal artifacts have
been located in northerly (colder) regions.

Gerry

> 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.