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Humans, Dogs, and the Extinction of the Neanderthals; Composing Music for Cats

Robert Dewar
/
Creative Commons

Neanderthals have long been recognized as humans’ closest relatives. They were highly intelligent, skilled hunters, with a rugged build, and a knack for toolmaking.

So why is it that we thrived while the Neanderthals died off over 40,000 years ago?

The exact cause of Neanderthal extinction has puzzled researchers for many years. But one anthropologist is now proposing a compelling explanation, which might be the answer we’ve all been waiting for.

This hour, Pat Shipman joins us to share her theory on how humans and their wolf-dogs contributed to the Neanderthals’ demise. And later, WNPR’s Patrick Skahill tells us how some scientists are looking into the musical preferences of cats.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

GUESTS:

John Dankosky and Chion Wolf contributed to this show. 

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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