We Aren’t Unique: How Other Human Species Shaped Modern Human DNA (New Scientist Documentary)

We aren’t unique.  Once upon a time a number of different human species existed – not all at the same time but over the course of hundreds of thousands of years.  And, it seems, we got more than a little “Discovery Channel” with a lot of them.  So much so, that it has been established that a maximum of 7% of our DNA originated in our species, Homo Sapiens.  The rest came from other human species, the Neanderthals, Denisovans and some yet-to-be identified species who are still referred to as “ghost populations” as we haven’t yet discovered any remains.

This short documentary by New Scientist is presented by Ella al-Shamahi, who comes across as approachably clever, although I would never want to be playing against her in a game of chess.  Here she delves into the discoveries that rewrote human evolution in a clear and understandable way (you could call this Denisovans for Dummies if you wanted to get alliterative).  The documentary also covers not only why mating with already established human populations may have seemed like a good idea at the time to our ancestors, but the hidden cost of doing so.  It asks (and answers) questions about human origin that I may not have known I particularly wanted or needed to understand, but which are fascinating regardless.

The Discovery of Fire - Tadufeu

If you have ever wondered the circumstances in which fire was first discovered, then you need look no further (unless you want the truth, of course).

However, Tadufeu, a very funny animated short from a group of students at the ESMA School of Arts in France gives you one possibility at least.

A group of Cromags accidentally discover fire and, of course, are not willing to let their little secret fall in to the wrong hands. So, when a cold Neandert wanders their way they fob him off with various useless items. Then, one day, it rains.

This is certainly not quite what the history books will tell you but it is nonetheless great fun if you don’t mind a little violence!). Plus if you would like to find out more about this animated short then why not pop over to the Tadufeu website (in French).

The Neanderthal in You

Have you ever wondered what it means to be human? Well if you haven’t then many scientists, theologians and philosophers have given it quite a lot of thought over the last six thousand years or so. For that amount of time we have thought we were pretty much unique – a one of a kind.

However, new evidence shows that we are more related to our closes ancestors, the Neanderthals, than anyone had previously guessed. Here Stephen Nash, a Denver Museum of Nature and Science scientist explains this link to the Neanderthal, with the aid of some excellent visuals.