today we are going to delve into the fascinating intersections of history, science, andBS. Today, we tackle a provocative theory: the notion that Neanderthals were super human apex predators that nearly drove Homo sapiens to extinction. Stay tuned as we dissect this hypothesis with a critical lens, drawing on the latest scientific research and historical evidence and we discuss whether it’s nonsense or not.
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Note: the term ‘species’ doesn’t have a universally accepted definition. However, recent studies suggest that Neanderthals might be a subspecies of Homo Sapiens, not an entirely different species. I apologise for not including that position on the video.
Critical Analysis of the theory
The outline of the theory posits that Neanderthals, with their robust build and hunting prowess, were dominant predators of their time. This speculative narrative suggests that their predatory nature placed immense pressure on early Homo sapiens, pushing our ancestors to the brink of extinction.
The idea that Neanderthals were apex predators with superhuman strength that almost drove Homo sapiens to extinction is largely a myth, not supported by current scientific or genetic evidence. While Neanderthals were indeed successful hunters and had a strong, robust physique, the notion of their superhuman strength is an exageration and the near-extinction of Homo sapiens is a fantasy, a interesting one indeed, you could make a game or movie out of it, but still didn’t happen.
What we Know About Neanderthals
1. Strength: Neanderthals were stockier and more muscular than modern humans, but their strength was not necessarily “superhuman.” Their physical advantages were likely due to their adaptation to colder climates and a hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
2. Intelligence: Neanderthals had a brain size similar to or even slightly larger than modern humans. They produced complex tools, practiced burial rituals, and possibly had language abilities, indicating a level of intelligence comparable to Homo sapiens.
3. Coexistence: Homo sapiens and Neanderthals coexisted for thousands of years in Europe and parts of Asia. Genetic evidence suggests that the two species interbred, with many modern humans carrying a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA.
4. Extinction: Neanderthals went extinct around 40,000 years ago, but the reasons for their extinction are still debated. Possible factors include climate change, competition with Homo sapiens for resources, and assimilation through interbreeding. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Neanderthals nearly drove Homo sapiens to extinction.
In summary, while Neanderthals were well-adapted to their environment and were successful hunters, the idea of their superhuman strength and near-extinction of Homo sapiens is a myth not supported by scientific evidence.
Logical Inconsistencies:
“While the theory captivates the imagination, it falters under scrutiny. To begin with, portraying Neanderthals as apex predators oversimplifies their ecological role and underestimates the complexity of prehistoric ecosystems. Predatory dominance alone does not equate to the capability of driving another species to near extinction.”
[Debunking the Population Bottleneck Myth]
[7:00 – 11:00]
Genetic Evidence and Population Dynamics:
“A central claim is that the human population dwindled to as few as 50 individuals due to Neanderthal predation. This assertion is at odds with genetic studies indicating that, while Homo sapiens experienced population reductions, these events occurred over enormour spans of time, almost unfathomable for us, and were influenced by a multitude of factors, including climatic changes and resource scarcity, rather than solely predation or war with a single.
Moreover another inconsistency is the idea that this someone happened everywhere in the world wherever these two species existed. This doesn’t consider Discussion of migration patterns and archaeological evidence supporting larger, more diverse populations.
Archaeological and Genetic Insights:
Neanderthal and Homo sapiens interactions. While it’s true that these two species did cohabit our planet for a good 50.000 years,
Neanderthals and Homo sapiens coexisted on Earth for a significant period of time before the Neanderthals went extinct. The exact duration of this coexistence is still a topic of ongoing research and debate among archaeologists and anthropologists. However, based on the available evidence, it is estimated that the two species overlapped for at least 30,000 years, and possibly up to 50,000 years or more.
Here’s a brief timeline of the coexistence of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens:
1. Homo sapiens first appeared in Africa around 300,000 years ago.
2. Neanderthals evolved in Europe and Asia around 400,000 years ago.
#mythbusting #debunking #neanderthal
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NOTE: The term ‘species’ doesn’t have a universally accepted definition. However, recent studies suggest that Neanderthals might be a subspecies of Homo Sapiens, not an entirely different species. I apologise for not including that position on the video.
Oh yes, I ran into that a couple of weeks ago… I never really thought it was true though.. ☺
Given that all middle eastern and European peoples- people with ancestors from regions where neanderthals inhabited- have neanderthal DNA in their genome, I suspect that anatomically modern humans and neanderthals were doing something else entirely…
i agree
With you up until intelligence, everything I have read it shows the Neanderthal was more intelligent
You gotta say anatomically modern humans when talking about 'modern humans' from this period. Whilst their skeletons were, well anatomically modern, their lifespan was half the length(and match their contempories like the Denursivans and Neanderthals; a 40 year old was the equvelent of an 80 year old today). Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans had similar cognitive abilities. 'Modern humans' would show more intelligent behaviors, but tens of thousands of years after their first spread into Europe. We didn't just come out of Africa as the smarter species, it was a gradual expansion of cognitive abilities through time.
There is genetic evidence of how neanderthals went extinct. Initial migrations and interbreeding led to Europe being populated by largely a hybrid population, multiple waves of migration from Africa and the middle east watered down that hybrid genepool with new influxes of anatomically modern human genes. So whilst there was conflicts and competition, there was also intergration, assimilation, and a whole load of babies being made.
Hell no my good sir you have a better head of hair then any Neanderthal would wish to have
They were apex predators but they were no more a threat to humanity like other apex predators were and are today we're apex predators too so yeah did some neanderthals ate humans yeah probably but were we the first thing on their menu nope it was probably deer or a different animal living were they lived and they probably only ate humans out of nesscissity and not because we taste good but over all most apex hunters prefer eating herbivores as their main diet even we humans prefer eating a cow or chicken over a cat or dog or a wolf or lion so yeah I'd would think that would be the same for a neanderthal
Honestly the wholse sasquatch/neanderthal/etc idea has never gripped me. I mean, you're trying to tell me that a big beastial hairy man is more intimidating and threatening to our species than bears, lions, tigers, wolves, leopards, hyenas, rhinos, hippos, elephants, giant ground sloths, crocodiles, terrestrial crocodiles, giant eagles, and giant monitor lizards.
I don't buy it.
What is more terrifying?
A predator with extremely accute sight, capable of seeing colours far beyond our visual spectrum, a wraith which can weave and turn through the trees of the forest at up to 80kmph. That will hit you with it's feet like a sledgehammer to the chest, before it's feet close with enough force to casually crush your ribcage apart, to cursh any bone in your body, whilst at the same time it's 20cm long talons puncture and rip through your vital organs causing massive internal bleeding.
Or a big hairy ape boi that hollers and runs around in the woods.
Hm.. I am online almost all the time (which is why I'm here), but I haven't actually run into that apex predator theory so far. Sounds like something from when I was young. The last time I saw a hairy predator-killer humanoid was in the movie Quest for Fire (1981)
Heard the music and suddenly thought I was watching a James Lindsay video. 😂
That image at @8:50 is absolutely just Liver King. 🪦
happy unga bunga to you my friend
I love the Why Files tho!
I never heard of this. Are you sure it's a theory? I always thought it was more the other way around … that homo sapiens pushed neanderthal man to extinction. I mean who are you actually debunking here?
I have never heard this Theory!!! I have only read articles and seen vids that it was US, the Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH) that probably caused the Extinction or gradual Assimilation of the Neanderthals and their Asian cousins the Denisovans thru Interspecies Breeding, or we gave them Diseases that they had no immunity to, killed the Males and kept the Females, and that their numbers were already very low by the time we Humans encountered them.
I think in the beginning, Neanderthals would have had an advantage, making them win a lot in the beginning.
Once interbreeding become much more common, Homo Sapiens began to get an advantage. IE: Natural Selection.
Near the end, we were mostly winning our encounters with Neanderthals.
Then the Volcano erupting in Italy technically changed everything. So we ended up with better survival skills than Neanderthals as a result of having the adaptability and survival skills as Prey and Hunter, whereas Neanderthals did not, which led to them not making it. And we did.
i find it really troubling this is even being debated. Our school systems are really failing.
I had never heard of this “theory”…
Not as dumb as flat-earth “theory”, but it’s close.
Your turn 😂✌️❤️
https://youtu.be/-l_GdVh1LYE?si=Tiwzc-sd6D4GUG0P
Ive never heard this theory…
My first thought is, how big were Neanderthals to fight the 800lb gorillas with just their fists and maybe a spear.
Did they even discover fires and pointy sticks?
We want to see you react to Why Files episodes (like today's), collaborate with him even, it would be great content
Consider a move ominous possibility: that such "crazy" theories pop up because we know next to nothing about neanderthals? Heck, we did not know many dinosaurs had feathers until recently.
I came across this theory that Neanderthal became extinct by just interbreeding with Homo sapiens. They were a minority, adopted by a majority. Might be.
Nah… never heard this one and I consume loads of human evolution videos…
The first time I heard of this theory on TWF. This was honestly their worst episode and was very loud that this was going to cost them credibility and subscribers. It was based on a book, one (1) single book that one of their researchers tripped over, and I think they needed a episode. This theory aspires to be crap- it's bad Clan of the Cave Bear fanfic, and rather beneath what The Why Files normally do. Thumbs down for the art, to, it was offensively stupid and bad.
Neanderthals were apex predators. Just as we are.