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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 10:43:47 GMT -5
The age and maturity pace of Neanderthals This evaluation is based on the information provided by Jack Couzzo's in his book Buried Alive : The Startling Truth About Neanderthal Man. There are both strengths and weaknesses in his reasoning. The main problem is that he tries to fit Neanderthal onto the biblical creation myth.
Let's start with children & young adults. That's where his evidence is impressive. On page 185 there is a table estimating the years Between Pech (a very young child) and Le Moustier
Linear or Angular Meassurement Average Rate/Yr Years 1. Michigan Angular Variable 50 0.85 27 2. Bolton Angular No. 13 0.57 26 3. Michigan Linear Variable 88 1.2mm 26 4. Bolton Linear No. 5D 1.2mm 26 5. Bolton Angular No. 3 0.66 27 6. Michigan Linear Variable 182 1.3mm 29 7. Michigan Linear Variable 185 1.8mm 26 Average: 26.7 +/-1
This 7 meassures are different rates of growth, using large modern studies. It's quite remarkable that all of them gives very similar results for the age differences between Le Moustier and Pech. Using dental dating methods, Pech is believed to be between 2 and 2.5 years old. I'll use the mean 2.25 years. Le Moustier is assumed to be between 16 and 18 years old. I'll use 17 for his age. The difference in age based on dental datings therefore is 14.75 years. This would mean there is a discrepancy between general skull growth and teeth growth of 1.81 (26.7 / 14.75). This can be explained by assuming seasonal wear of their teeth. If teeth eruption & wear is proportional to the effective usage-time of teeth, this would be a legal assumption. This means Neanderthals would use their teeth for 1 / 1.81 or 55% of the time, and would not use them for 45%. That translates to 6.5 active months and 5.5 months of hibernation or general inactivity. Using those assumptions, let's calculate the age of various Neanderthals. The general rule for children & young adults would be to multiply the traditional ages by 1.81. This would mean Pech would be 4 years, Gibraltar II 7 years and Le Moustier would be 31 years.
Next, comes the fallacy of Jack's reasoning. Age of adults. The real problem here is that we don't know the exact age of maturity. Le Moustier cannot be assumed to be mature. The exact time of maturity matters a lot, since skull growth in the measures used in the book beyond maturity falls 20 - 30 times. He assumes maturity and Le Moustier is the same thing, but it's most likely not. The most reliable way to calculate age of maturity, is to estimate average life-span. Since Neanderthals matured 81% slower, they should also have lived correspondingly longer. This means realistic life-spans should range between 100 and 150 years. Using that span, it's possible to use 3 of the measures in the book, and estimate an age of maturity that is realistic. Several iterations proved this age is 36, but I won't go into the calculations, just show that it gives reasonable results.
Gonial angle
On page 306, there is a specification of gonial angles, and the rates. LM (Le Moustier): 110, LC (La Chapelle): 105, LF (La Ferrassie I): 104. Rate in adulthood is 0.026/year. Rate before maturity is 0.86/year (p185). This gives the following table:
Gonial angle Estimated age Le Moustier 110 31 years Mature Neanderthal 105.75 36 years La Chapelle 105 65 years La Ferrassie 104 103 years
Lower jaw length
On page 306, variable 194, specifies LM: 116.3, LF: 131.3 and LC;132.3. Rate is 0.071mm/year. On page 180, it's stated that the lower jaw grows 1.8mm/year before maturity. This gives the following table:
Lower jaw length Estimated age Le Moustier 116.3 31 years Mature Neanderthal 125.3 36 years La Chapelle 131.3 120 years La Ferrassie 132.3 135 years
The book claims ages of 211, 225, 231 and 192 for the above. This is because of the assumption of LM being mature. It's very clear you can come up with almost any age with this method, since maturation time is not known. I think 36 +/- 2 of maturation is supported by the data. Outside of this range, age of death of LC and LF is becoming unrealistic.
Lower face height
This is the third measure that can evaluated both in children and adults, as is required when maturity is 5 years after LM. This is the most interesting of them. Neither the traditional dating method, nor the presumed in this book, would explain this. On page 212, there are estimates for this parameter. Modern adults grow 0.063mm/year. Between 16 and 18, there is an increase of 1.98mm, which roughly corresponds to 1mm/year, which I will use as an estimate before maturity. He also discusses the fact that modern humans with heavy tooth-attrition, DECREASE lower facial height. This is because passive tooth eruption is smaller than teeth wear. On page 215, he gives the figures for our Neanderthals. LM: 58.3, LF: 75.8 and LC: 78.7. The problem here is that we have to assume a very high increase in lower facial height of 0.15mm/year to obtain realistic results. Here is a table based on 0.15mm/year:
Lower face height Estimated age Le Moustier 58.3 31 years Mature Neanderthal 63.3 36 years La Chapelle 78.7 139 years La Ferrassie 75.8 120 years
If Neanderthal had such a large growth as 0.15mm/year, which is over twice the modern rate with SOFT diet, how is this possible? I think the answer once more is hibernation. If we assume they had the modern rate during active periods (55%), and only passive eruption during the rest of the year (45%), we could end up at 0.15mm/year. If their passive eruption was 0.25mm/year, this would contribute to 0.112mm/year of growth (0.25 * 0.45), and the active 0.038mm/year (0.07 * 0.55). On page 211, there is an study that gives rates as high as 0.18mm/year for this parameter, with "no wear".
On page 76, there is an excellent summary of Gibraltar II by Dorothy Garrod:
A. Remarkable jaw muscle development old B. Well-worn teeth old C. Infantile forehead slow D. Big head old E. Infantile ear bones slow F. Bulbous upper jaw slow G. Small young-looking lower jaw slow
F and G is explained by slow-developing teeth, and is the reason for the wrong age-estimates by paleoanthropology. Slower ear development might be related to Neanderthals obvious preference for visual information processing instead of verbal (as evidenced by occipital bun). The forehead is most likely explained by a less advanced social system.
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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 10:44:53 GMT -5
Psychiatry and other theories Evidence against the defect-theory Here follows some links against the brain-damage, deficit and disorder theories. [Disassociation between frontal lobe and social abilities][Local copy] [Disassociation between brain damage and executive functions][Local copy] [Genetic causes to ADHD][Local copy] [Different brain function in autism][Local copy] [Different brain function in ADHD][Local copy] [Is ADHD a valid defect?][Local copy] [Asperger: making intelligence a disease][Local copy] [Good description of brain damage, terminology and its effects][Local copy] [Neurotypical behavior can be seen as a disorder] A Motor theory of autism This is a theory from psychiatry, that concentrates on one aspect of autism, speech. There is some interesting information in this theory, despite the negative image it gives of autism. There are interesting parallels between Basque and the unusual language-patterns in autism. Problems with pronouns. They barely exist in Basque. Absence of abstract words. All Basque abstract words are loan-words. In Basque, they often invent new words as they are needed. The same thing can be seen when autistic people invent words the for ones they can't remember. Most interesting is that many linquistics now consider many parts of our language as innate. This can lead to the speculation that autistic people have another innate-language capability that is not fully compatible with our current languages. Those with low IQ then would fail to develop language, since they cannot compensate for this. [The theory] A Topological Theory of Autism The topology theory says that in areas with sparse populations, more autism is present. It also says that autism is more common the more to the north you live. This has good correspondence to how Neanderthals lived. Since they had to live mostly on hunting, the were few and lived far apart in small groups. [The theory][Local copy] Elegant technology A theory that deals with the duality of mankind. It's easy to identify predators as Hss and producers as Neanderthal. [The theory] Temperament An Internet-based study shows that people with ADHD often belong in some of the temperamental groups ENTP, ENFP, INFP, or INTP. These groups are relatively rare in the population, and their total part of the population is only 10%. At the same time, some believe the prevalence of ADHD is around 10%. This means there must be a strong link between ADHD and temperament. There is also considerable overlap between criteria of aspie and INTP. [Introduction to temperament] [The Internet-based study of ADHD and temperament][Local copy] [Criteria of aspie][Local copy] [Creativity and ADHD][Local copy] Hunting People with ADHD is characterized by Thom Hartmann, as having very good traits for hunting. Neanderthals were more like predators, while Cro Magnon man was a gatherer, hunted with arrow or fishing.. The Neanderthals might have hunted like wolves. Cooperation was important, just like the ability to adapt the activity level to the circumstances. [Neanderthal Hunting and Diet] [Thom Hartmann] [Is ADHD a valid defect?] [Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perspective] No fixed borders between diagnosis Asperger and ADHD are often are mixed. There is no clear boundary between them, nor is there a clear boundary to normal. Some scientists believe as many as 100s of different genes are responsible. If 100s of different genes were "mutated" some way, you'd not expect them to co-exist so often. Maybe the genes have a common source instead? [Search for the Tourette Syndrome and Human Behavior Genes] Brain size Neanderthals had a 1500cc brain volume, while modern humans have 1400cc. This means a difference of 7-8% percent. The difference measured on autistic children was 10%, and this agrees with this theory. If you postulate that autistic people have the same brain size as a Neanderthal, how does the brain fit? Larger skull A larger head should lead to larger risk for pregnancy complications. There are studies that confirms that both premature birth and difficult delivery is more common. Normal skull This should lead to pressure in the brain, and in extreme cases could lead to problems for the brain to grow to it's genetically determined size. The link to epilepsy is interesting, since some types of epilepsy might be caused by higher pressure in the brain. Trauma to the brain causes the brain to swell Brain tumors causes local over-pressure close to the tumor Stroke also causes over-pressure because of blood in the brain. All of these conditions can cause epilepsy. In all cases, the most dangerous is the enlargement of the brain, and not the physical damages. The treatment is focused on reducing the pressure in the brain. Epilepsy might be a symptom of the brain's inability to grow in autistic children. It's also possible that low-functioning autistic individuals are low-functioning because their brains are unable to grow, and they might have been high-functioning if they had a larger skull. This can also be the explanation for the lower blood-flows in the brain some autistic individuals show, since a crowded brain should lead to lower blood-flow. A theory of general impairment of gene-expression manifesting as autism has some important implications for how genes operate. If you instead of primates and other non-humans think in terms of Neanderthals and brain size and skull size as factors, some interesting conclusions can be made. In this scenario, a large brain and normal skull would result in mental retardation, while a large brain and large skull would result in AS. This theory also points out the empirical evidence for the two-factor model of autism. Mercury also results in skin rash, and since it builds-up in the brain, this can make the situation worse. [Neanderthal brain size][Local copy] [Autistic brain size][Local copy] [Traumatic head injury][Local copy] [Causes of epilepsy][Local copy] [Autism and epilepsy][Local copy] [Autistic children at heightened risk of epilepsy] [Local Copy] [Mercury poisoning leads to swelling][Local copy] [Cranial manipulation might be an effective, preventive method]
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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 10:45:36 GMT -5
Differencies in brain function The most important aspect is brain-liberalization. Left-handedness and right-hemisphere dominance is clearly linked to both autism and dyslexia. The dominance issue results in profound differences in brain-function. The main functions in the hemispheres Left hemisphere Verbal functions Logic and reasoning. Sequential processing Right hemisphere: Perception Intuition Parallel processing The neurotypical function All information is passed via pre-processing in the right hemisphere to the left, which is dominant. Information is stored in verbal form by the left hemisphere. This results in strong central coherence, since the individual only has access to highly processed information from the right hemisphere, and no raw-data. The autistic function Direct Direct processing of information in the right hemisphere, without involving the left hemisphere. Examples range from simple movements to automated car-driving. The advantage with this method lies in it's speed, and the ability to multitask with other activities. It's limited to right hemisphere functions, and as soon at it needs access to the left hemisphere, it can no longer execute unconscious. Through the left hemisphere More complex processing that demands logic or reasoning, must go to the left hemisphere. The processing is similar to the "normal" processing, with the important difference that the right hemisphere stores information in non-verbal format. Verbal communication Verbal communication is the major problem. There are two principal ways it can be performed: The first one is the same way as "normal", but since the autistic individual doesn't store information in verbal form, it will be severely restricted. It can be used if you in advance go through possible scenarios and store them in verbal format, however as soon as something unexpected occurs, this will fail. The second way is with the right hemisphere. The right hemisphere is ordering translation of the verbal information by the left. The left hemisphere sends back the result to the right, which handles the information. The right hemisphere then assembles an answer, that is sent to the left for translation to a suitable language. The left hemisphere then outputs the verbal information. As can be seen, this is a lot more complex than the normal processing, and for this reason the autistic individual will seem slow in verbal communications. Correlations with brain anatomy between autistic and "normal" brains The important differences are: Smaller cerebellum. This is logical since a lot processing can occur without any communication between the hemispheres, especially in small Neanderthal groups. It's also possible to communicate non-verbally without involving the left hemisphere. Smaller neurons in memory. This is a consequence of the verbal versus non-verbal style of storing information. Verbal storage requires more complex neurons, while non-verbal storage can pack denser, smaller neurons. Fewer Purkinje cells. Purkinje cells handles automated processing. Since a right hemisphere dominant individual can create far more powerful automation with right hemisphere processes, Purkinje cells are less useful. The negative consequence is that automated processes require more practice than fully automated processing. They also require a different learning style. Savants, creativity and stereotype behavior Savant-traits evolve naturally when the right hemisphere is dominant. This is because the right hemisphere has access to more raw information than the left. Through automated processes, some savants can display unsual abilities. To be able to use these abilities creativity, the left hemisphere must be involved. The creative process consists primarily of intuitive processes that the right hemisphere initiates and sends to the left for evaluation. This is necessary since logic and reasoning is in the left hemisphere. In some autistic individuals this can be observed as talking to oneself, or as stereotype behaviors. Those most likely stem from the left hemisphere outputting the results. Many autistics learn to block this unwanted effect. Facial cues The mostly likely explanation is that the autistic individual lacks the special mechanism responsible for interpreting "normal" facial expressions. In the neurotypical individual, it most likely is part of the data provided by the right hemisphere. Social abilities Probably the answer is the same as with facial cues. They most likely are special mechanisms in the right hemisphere. In absence of those mechanisms, an autistic individual therefore must evaluate them with logic and rules through the left hemisphere. Dyslexia Dyslexia is about different brain function. It works very well except for understanding abstract symbols and reading and writing. Dyslexia's positive side is creativity. Dyslectic people think non-verbally, and are right hemisphere dominant. [Brain hemisphere functionality][Local copy] [Differences in the autistic brain][Local copy] [Purkinje cells are involved in motor skills][Local copy] [Lateralization and creativity is related][Local copy] [Nadia, an autistic savant][Local copy] [Amnesia in childhood][Local copy] [The Gift of Dyslexia : Why Some of the Brightest People Can't Read and How They Can Learn] Differences in hardwired behaviors
A large part of the hardwired behaviors seems to be different, especially in those with AS, but also in those with ADHD and Tourette.
Prosapagnosia
Many people with AS are face blind. The most likely reason for this is that the specialized circuit for analyzing faces is adapted to recognize Neanderthal faces rather than modern human faces. It's very interesting that face blind people often use hair and hairlines to recognize people, and very seldom facial features. When they look at faces, they seem to just be blank.
[Face blind]
Gestures and non-verbal communication
Many with AS often show different facial expressions as small children that is provoking on others. Because of this, they stop using their own gestures and look cold. Problems with reading NT people's facial expression is common, and probably plays an important role in the social problems they often have. Most apes regard eye-contact as a threat. Chimps have a very advanced body language, with facial expressions just like us, but with partly different meanings. There also might be some relation to prosapagnosia, since the blank faces they see, would make it hard to see facial expressions.
Some of the common tics attributed to Tourette Syndrome seems to be non-verbal communication. They involve facial expressions (often called grimaces and alike) as well as body language (labeled twisting). It's also clear that tics are largely subconscious and involuntary, just like the standard facial expressions and body language. It's possible this is Neanderthal origin non-verbal communication.
[Autistic children don't see the face's emotional cues] [Tics in Tourette syndrome] [Gaining Face] [Primates varying body language]
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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 10:46:55 GMT -5
CAPD
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), might have similar causes as prosapagnosia. It's also common in people with AS. A possible explaination is that their special-purpose speech recognition circuit is tuned to Neanderthal speech. This would make it harder to understand modern speech in noisy environments. There is indications Neanderthal speech differed from ours on certain accounts.
[General description of CAPD] [Neanderthals had the same nerve stem size for the tongue as us] [Neanderthals had a lower more nasal pitch] CVI
CVI mainly is the result of prejudice among psychiatrists on how the human visual processing system works. The tendency of autistics to use peripheral vision rather than central is interesting. This looks a lot like a predatory trait, or possibly a herder trait. It's consistent with the tendency to monitor the whole sound environment, rather than focusing on one single aspect.
[Description of CVI]
Language
Language acquisition is different in autism. Autistic people lags in using the correct language syntax. Low-level "impairments" are suggested by psychiatry, but since language acquisition is largely innate, it's much more likely there is innate differences in language skills, and probably syntactic skills. Autistic children are forced to learn an alien set of language rules, and this causes them to lag behind peers. Some autistics also have trouble differentiating personal pronouns, which is indicative of adaptation to endogamous groups.
[Low-level language differences in autism]
Intonation
Many with AS has problems with intonation, and doesn't understand others intonation. Problems with regulating voice pitch is also common in children with AS.
Movement
People with AS often walk in a particular way, without moving their hands.
Mating behavior and sexuality
In particular those with Tourette show differences in mating behavior. Women often are vulgar, while men can get in various trouble that in some cases are considered as criminal or unethical. Homo-, bi- and transsexual preferences are also frequently found in autistic people.
[Homosexuality, playfulness and creativity] [HIV in Africa is spread with large amount of hetero-sexual activities][Local copy] [Different attitude towards homosexuality in Africa][Local copy] Pain sensitivity
Neanderthals very often had "rodeo-type" injuries. This probably was caused by wrestling large (semi) domestic animals. Masochistic males get pleasure from being spanked by a female dominatrix. Autistic individuals frequently have unusual sensitivities for pain. They are both more sensitive to touch, and less sensitive to pain. This must have it's origin in sexual selection, and in Neanderthal habits of wrestling large mammals. Possibly it served the function of better handling the pain afflicted on them in their handling of animals, and this formed a ritual where spanking were used to harden their bodies. The pain differences would separate common pain from wrestling from dangerous pain. This is what is manifested in the pain differences in autism.
[Low pain sensitivity in autism] [Redheads need more pain relief] Herd-mentality and prejudices
Many seems to lack herd-mentality, and also prejudices.
Reciprocal altruism
Reciproc altruism, according to evolutionary psychology, is an essential component in social relations. In spite of this, most autistic people lacks the fundamental skills for this.
[Evolutionary Pschology : The New Science of the Mind] Alliances
Male alliances is the result of male competition within a tribe. This also is lacking in autistic individuals.
[Evolutionary Pschology : The New Science of the Mind] Status and hierarchies
Autistic people use dominance structure instead of status and hierarchies. Autistic people doesn't places people outside of their own groups in their structure. They are simply ignored.
[Evolutionary Pschology : The New Science of the Mind] Planining, structure and organization
From "desolate landscapes" p. 129:
"The mapped occupation floors on the East European Plain reveal a recurrent pattern of randomly distributed artefact and or faunal debris concentrations of varying size and density. Former hearths are associated with some debris concentrations, but also found in isolated contexts; a consistent pattern of linkage between the two features seems to be lacking."
"The occupation floors reveal a low degree of structure or organization in the use of space. The contrast with open-air sites occupied by modern humans during the later Upper Paleolithic (OIS 2) is especially striking. Many of the latter contain highly structured arrangements of former dwellings, hearths, pits, and debris concentrations with parallels to the organization of modern hunter-gatherer camps (see chapter 6)."
This same differences are notable in ADHD and AS individuals.
[Desolate landscapes] Instructions and directions
It seems like many AS people have a very hard time to handle verbal directions and instructions. Many also find it differcult to instruct or give directions. The evolutionary origin of these traits must have been in larger social settings, with specializations of functions. The traits are commonly used to convey information of where to find things and people. Group isolation in Neanderthals, which in the archaeological record is seen as using resources of local origin, would make these traits less useful. Lack of specialization and the group keeping together at all times, would make them even less useful.
All of this points in the direction of hardwired behaviors from another species. Most species have with other species incompatible hardwired behaviors, and these probably plays a more important role than physical barriers between species.
Climate adaptations
How other species has adapted
To assert the degree of expected change in a cold adapted human population, it's useful to compare with other species that has adapted to cold climates.
Polar bear
The polar bear is believed to have parted from brown bears 100,000 to 250,000 years ago. This is far less generations than H erectus had adapted, and thus we would except to see more changes in Neanderthals than this.
Switch of diet from predominately vegetarian diet to carnevorious diet Widely different teeth, more adapted for a predator. Year-around activity instead of hibernation Longer neck Different color Thick fur Huge paws Most importantly: "Today's polar bear is superbly adapted to life in the Arctic"
[Polar bear evolution]
Wolly mammoth
The mammoth parted from Elephants in Africa 4 million years ago. Already 2 million years ago, they were fully adapted to Arctic conditions. Wolly mammoth went all the way from warm-adapted & virtually fur-less to superbly adapted to Arctic conditions in the same time frame H erectus to Neanderthals had.
[Wolly mammoth evolution]
Artic fox
The artic fox split off 3 million years ago. They have much the same adaptations we would expect in Neanderthals.
The fur of the arctic fox has the best insulative properties among all mammals Not under any naturally occurring temperatures does it need to increase metabolic rate to maintain homeothermy Arctic foxes change between summer and winter pelage and thereby adjust insulating properties and enhance camouflage Well developed ability to reduce blood flow to peripheral regions of the body In autumn, they can put on more than 50% of their body weight as fat for insulation and as energy reserves [Artic fox evolution]
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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 10:47:55 GMT -5
Almas
Alma's have been reported for a long time in certain areas of Russia. Alma's are also part of the local myth's of these people. In the mid 1800th, a Alma called Zana was captured and later even got several children with locals. Russia is also the part of the world were we have the latest evidence of Neanderthals. It's also interesting to note that people in this area also frequently become quite old.
Characteristics of Zana and Almas:
She had lots of body-hair. Another source says Almas (like Zana) have lots of red hair, but not in the face or on their hands and feet. Her hair is reddish. This is in perfect correlation with red hair being of Neanderthal origin, and indeed over-represented in the autistic population. She did interbreed, and the skull of one of her descendants showed peculiarities. Dislike of cloth. Quite natural if you have excessive body hair. Also matches many autistics. Dislike of heat. That does match the expectation of Neanderthals (being cold adapted), as well as the preferences of autistic individuals. Fiery temper. It took 3 years to "tame" her. I would think this fits quite well with female autistics. Also matches the "fiery red-head" saying.
[Zana - part 1] [Zana - part 2] [Zana - part 3] [Zana - part 4] [Picture of an Alma] [Skeleton of Zanas son] Relation to Eve Mandres Special Educational Diagnosis Checklist
Here is a grouping of Eve Mandres criteria , and it's connection to the Neanderthal theory:
Sensitive perception (hunter / tracker):
1. Oversensitive to auditory stimuli 2. Oversensitive to visual stimuli 3 .Tactile over sensitivity 4. Reacts strongly to tastes/smells 5. Dislikes anyone coming close
Predatory traits (hunters):
6. Easily loses attention 7. Acts immediately on impulse 10. Difficulties getting started/initiating activities 15. In need of constant variation to hold attention 31. Has great visions, always something happening 56. Constantly in motion, hyperactive
Different short-time memory / working memory, hemisphere dominance (adaptation to small groups of 8-25 individuals):
11. Reacts slowly 16. Forgets what has been said, reminders do not help 17. Often dwells on the same thoughts without being troubled by it 25. Difficulties relating experiences in a coherent way 26. Difficulties retrieving necessary information from memory 48. Seldom enters into a conversation with several persons in a natural way 52. Difficulties in solving unexpected problems
Different body language (species dependent): 35. Unable to understand hypothetical reasoning such as, "If this were you, how would you think, feel, react?" 36. Unable to reflect over his/her own thoughts or actions and compare them to others 37. Unable to understand anything from another person's perspective 38. Is passive in making contact with others, seldom takes the initiative 39. Finds most social situations bothersome 40. Makes contact in an abnormal manner 41. Unable to spontaneously participate in group activities 42. Difficulties understanding instructions given to a group 43. Does not use facial expressions or body language as a means of communication 44. Difficulties interpreting facial expressions and body language of others 47. Difficulties understanding rules of turn taking in conversations 48. Seldom enters into a conversation with several persons in a natural way
Motor difficulties (hunting methods / automation issues):
54. Difficulties coordinating bodily movements, is seen as clumsy 55. Difficulties planning movements, often does things in the wrong order Secondary environmental problems. Some shouldn't occur at all
8. Overreacts to new and/or unexpected events with anxiety/fright 9. Overreacts to new and/or unexpected events by exhibiting stress or preparing to flee 12. Difficulties in accepting anything new, screens him/herself off 13. Difficulties in varying behavior, easily caught up in stereotypic behaviors 14. Functions best in routine situations when he/she knows what is going to happen next 27. Has few or no spontaneous associations 28. Has only concrete and stereotypic associations 29. Can make up and imagine things that do not exist in reality 30. Has bizarre fantasies and associations 32. Thinks very concretely 33. Has a limited understanding of abstract concepts and symbols 49. Only speaks with certain persons or in certain situations 53. Would rather avoid problem
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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 10:48:43 GMT -5
How to prove or refute the theory Any serious theory needs some ways of proving or refuting it. Since this theory is based on things that happened a long time ago, this is not very easy too do. However, genetics offer some promising possibilities.
Autism and psychiatric genes
The most important task is to identify autism genes. Without them, there is very little possibility to prove anything. David Comings is actually working on the genetic basic of Tourette (and therefore also autism and co morbid conditions). Essential for the validity of this theory, is that many genes are involved. This seems to be the case too, as David believes there are 600 genes behind.
Age of autism genes
Central to this theory, is that the majority of autism genes should be 30,000 to 50,000 years old when measured for diversity, and many times older when comparing haplotype differences. This would be the effect of rare hybridization, and the following positive selection of Neanderthal genes. The diversity of these Neanderthal genes would be lost in the hybridization process, as well as any intermediate forms of them. The result is haplotypes that have many mutational differences, and no intermediates. The DRD4 7R gene fits this description, but more genes need to be researched.
Population distribution of autism genes
It's also essential for the validity of this theory that the majority of autism genes are most common in Caucasians, less common in Asians and Amerindians, and least common in black Africans.
Prevalence studies of autism and other psychiatric conditions
Analogue with the gene argument, it would follow that autism, ADD, Tourette and other psychiatric "disorders" should be most common in Caucasians, less common in Asians and Amerinidians, and least common in black Africans. However, research on this must be made using population studies, and must include more than mentally disabled individuals.
Faceblindness and Neanderthal faces
A real possibility is to check if faceblind people with autistic traits can recognize Neanderthals faces better than modern human faces. This would refute or confirm that prosapagnosia is caused by hybrid genes from Neanderthals
Population based studies of late onset autoimmune disease
The idea of this theory is that autoimmune disease is caused by gene incompabilities, and that autistic individuals will get these more often than others, especially if one or both of the parents are non-autistic. Psychiatry claims autism is caused by autoimmune disease, while this theory claims autistic genes combined with non-autistic genes causes autoimmune disease. Which of these interpretations is correct can be verified by studying prevalence of late onset autoimmune disease in the autistic population. In this case, autoimmune disease cannot cause autism, and if prevalence is significantly higher, this would tend to support this theory. Online survey's indicate prevalence is 5-10 times higher, but larger random-selection surveys are needed to confirm this finding.
Prevalence of known Neanderthal traits in the autistic population
Online surveys indicate that probable Neanderthal traits / genes like flat foot, crooked tooth / underbite, Rhesus factor, hair color, freckles, factor V leiden and hemochormatosis are several times more prevalent than in the non-autistic population. Random, controlled, survey's could confirm or reject these findings.
Animal domestication
Genetic studies could be used to date remains of wolves / dogs in Neanderthal settings. If it's found the genes of these animals are closer to today's dogs than to wolves, this would indicate dog domestication happened in Neanderthals. Similar procedures can be used with other now domestic species that can be found in Neanderthal "prey".
Abbreviations used AS = Asperger Syndrom
ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
NT = Neuro Typical, i.e. people without AS-traits.
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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 12:27:37 GMT -5
the relationship between present Europeans
and Neanderthal Man can be put into
a statement as follows :
After hundreds of thousands
of years of Neanderthal experience in Europe
all that very specific biological shaped legacy somehow
left its print on Modern Humans who came from
Africa into Europe.
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Post by Vitor on Dec 30, 2004 13:26:15 GMT -5
I might had a very neanderthal gene! I am RH negative. Any woman with this kind of blood in pre-modern time would get problems if married with someone with pure RH positive. Allmoust none of the child would survive. That is enough to put me in a different species status! Definition of species ....if individuals from 2 different population have less descendents than 2 different individuals from the same populatiopn then we have a DIFFERENT SPECIES! So the europeans are not lke the others...that is also food for racists Human! It's better for Political correctiveness to find common ground on all humans! Than to find something that would divide us all!
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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 13:45:12 GMT -5
i was just cruising other forums and i found what placed here was nothing new... at skadi they had posted it too... if I knew I would have lost my time copying it... your can check it at the below address: forum.skadi.net/showthread.php?t=17262surely it appears that being rh- connects you to very remote European ancestry... im not rh- myself, but some in my family are...
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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 14:14:43 GMT -5
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Post by Human on Dec 30, 2004 14:33:24 GMT -5
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Post by Artemidoros on Dec 30, 2004 19:36:51 GMT -5
Human,
I would appreciate it if you made a New Year resolution. To stop pasting crap (from the little I have read, that's what it is) and provide a link instead. Thank you and good night.
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