DNA solved the mystery of Neanderthal
You have a lot of Neanderthal DNA. At least 99.5 percent of your DNA is identical to Neanderthal 1. Recent DNA sequencing reveals the truth of Neanderthal, and it is time to bury all our preconceived ideas about him.
We have been led to believe that Neanderthal is our ancient, hairy, brutish, ape-like, ignorant, slumped-over ancient cousin. And that he went extinct because he was inept. His DNA, however, is shouting out to us that this is not the case. He is 99.5 percent like us. This 99.5 percent similarity is not based on our opinion or analysis; it is based on published secular scientific papers. By the way, we present-day humans share this same amount of DNA, 99.5 percent, with one another 2. Whether you are European, African, Asian, American, or Australian, you are closely related to Neanderthal. The 0.5 percent that separates us from one another, and Neanderthal, lies in our genetic markers. * These genetic markers provide humanity with natural variation.
What we know about Neanderthal
So, let’s follow the Neanderthal DNA and see where it takes us. Thanks to the work of many scientists, we now have more than mitochondrial DNA sequences 3. And thanks to several private laboratories, these DNA sequences are being translated into physical characteristics. Here are several examples of what is being discovered about Neanderthal:
Neanderthal is fully human
Neanderthal falls inside the variation of present-day human DNA 3 . Therefore, it would be difficult to conclude anything other than Neanderthal being fully human. He shares the status of “made in the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26) with us.
Neanderthal had less hair than modern humans
Neanderthal had less hair on his back than many present-day humans. This characteristic is due to genetic marker rs4849721, which Neanderthal and some present-day humans share. If you have a T at this marker position, you probably have less back hair than average 4. Neanderthals have the T, which means they probably had less back hair than the average present-day human. Hmmm, so much for the hairy ape-man image.
Neanderthal and freckles
Neanderthals had freckles 5. People with light skin get freckles because they have less melanin, which causes uneven tanning. It appears that freckles are now in vogue. Some of our most famous movie stars have them. So, Neanderthals are not just human, but “in vogue” humans.
Neanderthal Complexion
Several Neanderthal DNA sequences have genes indicative of red hair 5 and blue eyes. That is not to say that all Neanderthal had red hair and blue eyes, but, at least, some had these characteristics. By now, hopefully, you can see that at least some Neanderthals would look like someone you would bump into at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Neanderthal Speech
Neanderthal shares the FOXP2 gene 6 with us, indicating that he was capable of complex speech just as we are. Also, it is generally accepted that Neanderthal had a larger brain 7 than present-day man. So, perhaps he was more articulate than we are.
Neanderthal strength and energy
Although Neanderthals share 99.5 percent of our total DNA, they share only 98.7 percent of our mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This difference in mitochondrial DNA is interesting and can be explained. Mitochondrial DNA is a primary contributor to our energy, strength, and length of life. The fact that Neanderthal mtDNA differs from us by 1.3 percent fits the fossil evidence nicely. Neanderthal fossils indicate them having better muscle tone, more strength, and better bone structure than we have. In short, he was buff. Also, some mature Neanderthals had a prominent brow ridge indicative of them living long lives 8.
Neanderthal complex relationships
Neanderthals, in general, have less genetic diversity than we have; however, researchers are finding little or no evidence of incest 9. This, in my opinion, signifies that Neanderthal had complex relationship structures, as do we. Maybe he came calling with a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, and an articulate, witty proposal.
Neanderthal was not an ape-man
According to DNA, Neanderthal is 99.5 percent like you. He was not a hairy, ignorant, inept ape-man. He was human, created in the image of God just like you. So, the obvious question is, where does Neanderthal fit into the chronicles of human history? We have concluded that he is the Biblical pre-flood human (click here).
Commentary Note: You may have heard that some geneticists proclaim that we have only a small amount of Neanderthal DNA. Some say 2-4 percent, some say 0 percent, and some say 20 percent. These claims come from the same scientific community that says we share 99.5 percent of our DNA with Neanderthals. Why this huge conflict? Suffice it to say, the 99.5 percent is correct, and the lower numbers are contrived to justify the “out of Africa” and evolutionary hypotheses. To demonstrate this point, ask yourself how we can share only 2-4 percent with Neanderthal and 50 percent of our DNA with the banana? It depends on what data is used for analysis and how one interprets it. The DNA sequences are available to the public and can be verified and viewed by anyone.
Summary
Neanderthals were all human and, in many ways, superior to modern-day humans. They fit perfectly into human history as being pre-flood i.e., antediluvian humans.
New details on Neanderthal are emerging every day, as are Neanderthal’s physical appearance reconstructions. We will keep you posted:
* Genetic markers – Single Nucleotide polymorphisms, microsatellites, short tandem repeats, et. al.
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References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2583069/
- https://www.genome.gov/10001551/genetic-variation-program/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5100745/
- https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Neanderthal/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17962522/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4766443/
- https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2008/09/09/neanderthal-brain-size- at-birth-sheds-light-on-human-evolution/
- Cuozzo J., (1998) “Buried Alive the Startling Truth About Neanderthal Man,” Master Books Inc.
- http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/prehistoric-humans-are-likely-to-have-formed-mating-networks-to-avoid-inbreeding