National Geographic is one of those magazines that I read, in general, cover to cover. In the most recent issue we learn more about the Last of the Neanderthals and, based upon the amazing synergy of science and art, get to view our best take of their appearance. Face to face with a Neanderthal female — Wilma.
Experts say that Neanderthals have been extinct for ages, but I am always wary of statements like this. I remember hearing long ago that dinosaurs were extinct. Now it seems that they are not quite extinct but live on via their chirping distant cousins.
Do I have any evidence to support the existence of Neanderthals or distant relations? Of course not, but I’d swear that I have met a few in my day. They are quite lovely people.
Apparently I wasn’t too far off when I wrote this, according to findings earlier this year: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100506-science-neanderthals-humans-mated-interbred-dna-gene/