Neanderthals were outnumbered by the first modern humans

[n2doc]

By Kate Shaw |

Between 35,000 and 45,000 years ago, Neanderthals in Europe and Asia were replaced by the first modern humans. Why and how this transition occurred remains somewhat controversial. New research from the journal Science suggests that sheer numbers may have played a large role in modern humans' eventual takeover; archeological data shows that early populations of modern humans may have outnumbered Neanderthals by more than 9 to 1.

Two archaeologists from Cambridge University analyzed data from the Aquitaine region of southern France, which has Europe’s highest density of sites from this era, and one of the most complete archeological records. They used data from three time periods that encompassed the transition between Neanderthals and modern humans: the Mouterian and Chatelperronian eras, during which Neanderthals lived, and the Aurignacian period, which was dominated by modern humans. By examining differences between land use during these time periods, the researchers hoped to determine whether population dynamics played a role in the transition between these two hominins.

Because of the difficulties in estimating long-ago populations, the researchers used a few different proxies for population sizes and densities. They analyzed the number of occupied sites in each era, the size of these sites, and the accumulation rates of stone tools and animal food remains. Through these proxies, the researchers could get good estimates of population dynamics during the transition from Neanderthals to modern humans in Aquitaine.

From the Mouterian to the Chatelperronian era, there was very little increase in the number of rock-shelter sites. There were about 26 sites occupied in the Mouterian era, and 31 in the Chatelperronian period, suggesting that the Neanderthal population was not growing quickly. However, there were about 108 sites occupied by modern humans in the Aurignacian period. The increase is similar for occupied open-air sites. Adjusted for time scales, these figures suggest that, between the last Neanderthal-dominated era and the first era dominated by modern humans, the population numbers and densities increased by a factor of about 2.5.


more
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2011/07/neandertals-were-outnumbered-by-the-first-modern-humans.ars

[FSogol]

1. Us liberals need to outnumber the conservatives. I suggest "Get-Busy-Fridays!"

:party: :party: :beer: :beer: ::bounce: :bounce: :toast: :toast:

:smoke:

[iemitsu]

3. or better yet, "get busy" everydays.

i will volunteer for this responsibility.

[Doctor Hurt]

2. UNTIL THEY GOT SEXY!

aww yeah....proud neanderthal descendant here.

[dipsydoodle]

4. It is thought that "modern humans" lived longer

and as such were able to teach their children especially on how to cope.

Early recording :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQtRsSmU-6k

[pscot]

5. Longevity past about age 35

probably doesn't matter very much in terms of group survival. On the other hand, we breed like rats.

[dipsydoodle]

6. It was getting to over 30 in the first place

which is considered to have made the difference.