Neanderthals vs. Humans: Who would win in a fight?

 

Thursday 25 October 2012 05:00 EDT
Comments
Debate about the Neanderthals' fate has raged for decades
Debate about the Neanderthals' fate has raged for decades (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

We've had Alien vs. Predator, Monsters vs. Aliens and Dracula vs. Frankenstein, but what would happen if modern man and his prehistoric ancestor were to square off?

Thankfully, you won't have to sit through the movie version to find out, because a crack team of archaeologists, paleoanthropologists and paleoartists have got together to find out (No, apparently they don't have anything better to do).

A short, stocky Neanderthal would have a clear strength advantage, says Brian Palmer in Slate, "Neanderthals also developed strong trapezius, deltoid, and tricep muscles by dragging 50 pounds of meat 30 miles home to their families." But us Homo sapiens have other advantages, including a longer reach and more stamina. "Most importantly, we could deploy these advantages to maximum effect using our superior wits."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in