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.
GUESTS:
- Pat Shipman - Retired Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at the Pennsylvania State University; author of The Invaders: How Humans and Their Dogs Drove Neanderthals to Extinction
- James Serpell - Professor of Ethics and Animal Welfare at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine
- Patrick Skahill - WNPR’s science and environment reporter and host of The Beaker
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John Dankosky and Chion Wolf contributed to this show, which originally aired on March 27, 2015.
