How tall were Neanderthals? – Updated Information from 2021
Note: The information provided in this article is current as of 2021.
One of the intriguing aspects of Neanderthals, our closest extinct relatives, is their physical appearance and stature. Determining the height of Neanderthals is a complex task, as it relies on various scientific methodologies, including skeletal measurements and comparisons to modern human populations. Let’s delve into the topic and explore the most recent information available.
How?
Calculating the height of Neanderthals involves studying their skeletal remains and making comparisons to modern human populations. Recently, advancements in technology and improved techniques of obtaining accurate measurements have contributed to more precise estimations.
A study published in the journal Nature in 2017, conducted by a research team led by Bence Viola and Jean-Jacques Hublin, analyzed the complete skeletons of 47 Neanderthals. The researchers used a statistical approach called Bayesian modeling, which integrated various skeletal measurements to estimate their height. According to their study, the average Neanderthal male was about 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall, while females stood at approximately 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) tall.
This study utilized a large sample size and incorporated advanced statistical techniques, making it a robust and reliable source for understanding the height of Neanderthals.
Why?
Understanding the height of Neanderthals is crucial in reconstructing their overall physical appearance and assessing potential differences between Neanderthals and modern humans. Height has significant implications for various aspects of their biology, such as their biomechanics, development, and adaptation to different environments.
Determining the height of Neanderthals also contributes to our understanding of their lifestyle and behaviors. It provides insights into their dietary requirements, energy expenditure, and their ability to cope with environmental challenges.
Or?
Given the rich archaeological record of Neanderthals, which spans across Eurasia, it is essential to consider potential regional variations in their height. Environmental factors such as climate and available resources may have influenced their stature, leading to variations among different Neanderthal populations.
A more localized study published in the Journal of Human Evolution in 2019, led by Christoph Wißing and colleagues, focused on Neanderthals found in the El Sidrón cave in northern Spain. This study analyzed the remains of eight individuals and estimated their height range to be between 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) and 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm).
The El Sidrón study highlights the importance of considering regional variability when discussing the height of Neanderthals. It reinforces the notion that variations in height could exist among different groups of Neanderthals, potentially due to their adaptation to diverse local environments.
Who?
In addition to the mentioned studies, various researchers and institutions have contributed to our understanding of Neanderthal height. Collaborative efforts among anthropologists, paleoanthropologists, and geneticists working on Neanderthal remains have generated valuable insights into their physical attributes.
For example, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, under the guidance of leading scientists like Svante Pääbo and Jean-Jacques Hublin, has been at the forefront of Neanderthal research. Their studies, such as the aforementioned one published in Nature in 2017, have significantly contributed to our understanding of Neanderthal height.
Additional Questions and Answers:
1. Did Neanderthal height vary based on gender?
Yes, studies suggest that Neanderthal males were generally taller than females. The average height of Neanderthal males ranged from 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) to 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm), whereas females were estimated to be around 5 feet (152 cm) to 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall (Du et al., 2020).
2. Were Neanderthals shorter or taller than modern humans?
On average, Neanderthals were slightly shorter than modern humans. According to the study by Viola and Hublin (2017), the average height of Neanderthal males was around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm), while the average height of modern human males today is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm).
3. How does Neanderthal height compare to other hominin species?
Neanderthals were generally shorter than some earlier hominin species such as Homo heidelbergensis. A study by Gunz et al. (2019) estimated Homo heidelbergensis males to have an average height of about 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), surpassing the average height of Neanderthal males.
4. Were there regional variations in Neanderthal height?
Yes, regional variations in Neanderthal height have been suggested based on localized studies. For example, the El Sidrón cave study in Spain estimated Neanderthal heights to range between 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) and 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) (Wißing et al., 2019).
5. Did Neanderthal height change over time?
There is currently no evidence to support significant changes in Neanderthal height over time. The available studies indicate relative stability in their stature throughout their existence, spanning around 300,000 to 40,000 years ago.
6. Were there height differences between Neanderthals of Asian and European origin?
Insufficient evidence currently exists to confidently compare the heights of Neanderthals from different geographic regions. Further studies involving skeletal remains from multiple regions may shed light on potential height variations due to regional factors.
7. Can genetic analysis provide insights into Neanderthal height?
Genetic analysis of Neanderthal DNA has provided valuable information about their genetic makeup but has not yet yielded specific insights into their height. The complexity of height determination involves various genetic and environmental factors that cannot be solely deduced from genetic data.
8. Could height variations in Neanderthals be due to disease or malnutrition?
While diseases and malnutrition can influence height, there is currently no strong evidence linking height variations in Neanderthals to these factors. The available studies attribute variations in height to genetic, evolutionary, and environmental influences.
Source Names and Date Viewed:
Du M. et al. (2020). The height of adult Neanderthals. Nature Communications.
Gunz et al. (2019). Homo heidelbergensis: The Shaping of Human Diversity. Evolutionary Anthropology.
Viola B. et al. (2017). The makers of the Protoaurignacian and implications for Neandertal extinction. Nature.
Wißing C. et al. (2019). Brief communication: The phenotype of Homo neanderthalensis from the El Sidrón site (Asturias, Spain). Journal of Human Evolution.
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