Happy New Year! For a limited time only, access all online articles for free.

Irish cannibals and Neanderthal sex: Just how big is our species?

The Loom
By Carl Zimmer
Sep 21, 2012 7:10 PMNov 20, 2019 12:05 AM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

When the first fossils of Neanderthals came to light 155 years ago, they raised a tough question: did they come from a member of our own species, or a separate one? For all the progress scientists have made in studying Neanderthals since then, the answer remains tough--in part because it's not that easy to define a species. NOVA asked me to write about this enduring question. You can read my answer here.

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2025 LabX Media Group