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DNA From Neanderthal Relative May Shake Up Human Family Tree

Posted by Soulskill on from the skeletons-in-the-closet dept.

sciencehabit writes: In a remarkable technical feat, researchers have sequenced DNA from fossils in Spain that are about 300,000 to 400,000 years old and have found an ancestor—or close relative—of Neanderthals. The nuclear DNA, which is the oldest ever sequenced from a member of the human family, may push back the date for the origins of the distinct ancestors of Neanderthals and modern humans.

3 of 61 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Dont shake too hard... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    There may be another Bush in there...

    Impossible, those neanderthal guys were resourceful and intelligent.

  2. Re:Prepare to hear the outcome! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 2, Funny

    Prepare yourself to one day anticipate a conclusion that might be mildly interesting.

    Thanks Slashdot! But why didn't you post a story warning us we might someday see this story (about what we might someday know -- about some stuff that happened a million years ago)?

    I think Slashdot itself is pretty good evidence that we have evolved a lot slower than we like to think.

  3. Re:Will it explain by gtall · · Score: 3, Funny

    Harummph...you could have the Grand Unified Theory of Everything and it still would not explain Donald Trump's hair. My own belief is that it is actually a mutant racoon who whispers stupid nothings into Donald's ear and hence we get his mediagasms.