Re: Native Europeans

Gerry wrote

> 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 given that the "genetic distance" between Modern HSS mtDNA is a
maximum of 150,000 years, and that with Neanderthals seems to suggest
600,000 years, it would appear that Neanderthals are wholly outside
the human lineage. Given that a species (eg the Polar Bear) has only
a 60,000 year diversion from the Kodiak grizzly, this seems to
suggest that Neanderthalers stand a fair chance of being a sub-
species, if not a totally different species.

Regards

John