Nov. 6, 2006
EDITORS NOTE: Attention calendar editors, science editors.
MEDIA ADVISORY: PUBLIC TALK ON NEANDERTHALS DID THEY COEXIST WITH MODERN HUMANS?
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WHAT: Neanderthals: How Modern Were They? a public talk on what scientists have learned about when modern humans replaced the earlier Neanderthals
WHO: Shara Bailey, assistant professor of anthropology and member of the Center for the Study of Human Origins, New York University
WHEN: 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14
WHERE: Assembly Room, Winants Hall, 7 College Ave. (northeast corner of College Avenue and Somerset Street), New Brunswick.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies of Neanderthal fossils are helping scientists get a better idea of when and how modern humans, or Homo sapiens, started replacing Neanderthals more than 30,000 years ago. Shara Bailey, an assistant professor at New York University and a member of the schools Center for the Study of Human Origins, will describe her extensive research on these fossils, most notably a compilation of dental characteristics and measurements of every Neanderthal specimen available for study. This information helps scientists to more accurately identify species of fossil humans.
The history of Neanderthal replacement is like a chess board, said Bailey. At first, they occupied the entire board. Then certain squares were inhabited by modern humans and replaced Neanderthals quickly and permanently. Some scientists propose that Neanderthals coexisted and even mated with modern humans. Bailey notes, however, that with increased studies of existing fossil specimens and discoveries of new fossils and related artifacts, there is little evidence that Neanderthals and modern humans actually coexisted.
Baileys talk is presented by the Friends of the Rutgers University Geology Museum.
Contact: Carl Blesch
732-932-7084, ext. 616
E-mail: cblesch@ur.rutgers.edu