Neanderthals evolved to Aliens

I was watching that show Ape to Man on the History channel and it made me think of an interesting theory. Supposedlly our ancestors killed off all of the Neanderthals, but what if they survived. If several managed to hide underground, they would have evolved to look somewhat like aliens. This would explain them being 7ft tall. Living underground for thousands of years would also cause there skin to turn white and there eyes to get big. Humans living on earth would experience a de-evolution during the ice-age, and this would allow for Neanderthals to evolve faster. I have read on many forums here that there are supposedlly many underground tunnels that have not yet been discovered. If they are thousands of years more advanced than us it would not be hard to go undetected. They could have there headquarters in the middle of Russia or Antartica, and we would not even know.

I don't neccessarily belive this, I just thought I would post an interesting theory to discuss.

And a lack of oxygen, food, no evidence, and the fact that humans never de-evolutionized during the ice age must be taken into account.

I doubt whether the Neanderthals ever developed their language skills to our level or our reading and writting system not too mention our advances in science. What could they possible do underground other than lick algae, drink water, and cut off oxygen supplies with fire?

[edit on 13-8-2005 by Frosty]

Also, The oldest remains found outside Africa show that the thier brains are about half the size as ours are today...and that was only 1.8 millions years ago. Maybe Neanderthal brains were even smaller.

Originally posted by SportyMB
Also, The oldest remains found outside Africa show that the thier brains are about half the size as ours are today...and that was only 1.8 millions years ago. Maybe Neanderthal brains were even smaller.

The fact is Neandertal brains were, on average, larger than ours. Lucky for us that fractional differences in brain volumes have little effect on intelligence.

Harte

Neanderthals' brains were comparable in size to ours, but it seems from their skeletons that their voiceboxes were in a position that they'd be incapable of complex speech, which undoubtedly would be a severe disadvantage to them when faced with Homo sapiens.

I think the possibility that they'd become troglodytic and evolve into grey aliens is completely impossible.

[edit on 8/13/2005 by djohnsto77]

I always encourage new and interesting theories, but I am afraid that the possibility of Neanderthals evolving into some form of advanced species is impossible.

First of all, Neanderthals, far from being tall, were significantly shorter than us and stockily built, in order to survive not only the harshness of an ice-age climate, but the many megafauna on whom they preyed. Yes, their brains were larger than ours, but intelligence is a by-product of the number and intricacies of neural connections and pathways and in this sense, Homo Sapiens sapiens' brains are superior to Neanderthals.

Neanderthals were ideally adapted to a rugged, cold, harsh climate, but they were not very adaptable outside of this environment, which was their ultimate downfall. New innovations in technology which aided our ancestors escaped them. For instance, they knew how to make spears, but only for thrusting, not for throwing. When the ice-age began to come to an end and modern humans began to emerge, Neanderthals were simply out-competed for resources by a technologically superior creature that was able to adapt to its changing environment where Neanderthals were not.

As for going underground, perhaps a few remnant Neanderthal populations survived a little longer this way, but there is little chance they could have survived to modern times. Archaeological evidence shows us that the vast majority of a Neanderthal's diet was meat and there would simply not be enough meat underground to sustain a survivable population. Furthermore, living underground would likely be a detriment to advanced evolution, given that there are less significant predators, less changes in climate that require adaptation and generally less situations that require innovation and the development of technology needed to survive and prosper. Living on the surface during an ice-age promotes innovation, it doesn't result in a "de-evolution".

The Neanderthals died out because they were unable to adapt to a changing environment. Perhaps if modern humans had not arrived on the scene they would have lasted a bit longer, but probably not. But if a group of Neanderthals had somehow survived underground, they would be living in a subsistence fashion. They certainly would not be developing advanced technologies. Recent evidence also suggests that Neanderthals and modern humans may have interbred, although this point is fiercely contended.

[edit on 13/8/05 by Jeremiah25]

cranium size comparison

Homo Neandertahlensis

neanderthal was well adapted


Neanderthals weren't physically eliminated by modern men , it 's competition and maybe genetic melting which did , we might all have (eventhough not proved) a bit of neanderthal in us (some maybe more than others )
the two branches of humanity definitely coexisted , their relations might not have been the most amicable, but they definitely did

There is some that believe that the stories of the Red Ape Man from China, the Yeti in the Himillian (however it is spelt) Mountians as well as the North American Sasquatch (Big Foot) might be descendents of the Neaderthals.
Too bad the recent dna testing that was done of (for sure) Big Foot Hair turned out to be only bison.

There is some that believe that the stories of the Red Ape Man from China, the Yeti in the Himillian (however it is spelt) Mountians as well as the North American Sasquatch (Big Foot) might be descendents of the Neaderthals.

I have heard this theory many times. As well as the Yeti and the Red Ape Man, the Alma of Tajikistan and surrounding areas has also been linked with surviving populations of Neanderthals. Is it possible that sightings of the yeti/alma are remnant Neanderthals? Probably not. Neanderthals were social creatures, as we are and as all previous human species have been. Community means survival and most yeti/alma sightings are of single individuals. Although there have been sightings of groups of these creatures, I think that if they were Neanderthals, we would see more evidence of a communal lifestyle.

Furthermore, the yeti/alma is typically described in terms akin to a blend of human and lower primate (ape, for example). While this may be somewhat descriptive of a Neanderthal, the fact remains that Neanderthals looked far more like us than they did like apes. Also, I have yet to hear a report of a yeti/alma using or even carrying any type of advanced tool (spears, axes, bags, fire, etc). Even if we entertain the idea that a lone Neanderthal may venture out on the slopes, it is doubtful that they would do so bereft of the tools they need to survive, especially in such a harsh and bitter climate.

Finally, reports from the Himalayas regarding the yeti/alma have described them attacking livestock. Neanderthals, who subsist on a meat-rich diet, may indeed attack livestock if there were no available food to be found on the slopes of the mountains. However, these reports have never, to my knowledge, described the yeti utilising any weapons other than their hands. Neanderthals would use spears or clubs, or stones at the very least.

The idea that some small population of Neanderthals has survived in a remote corner of the world is a poetic one and plays at our need for wonder. I always enjoy pondering the idea, even if the reality makes it unlikely. I also recommend Michael Crichton's book "Eaters of the Dead" (which became the movie "The Thirteenth Warrior") for a fantastic account of a population of Neanderthals that survived in the northern extremes of Scandinavia and plagued encroaching Viking settlements.

Regarding the "interspecies" breeding ... I read somewhere, and flagging memory fails me, that a look at the DNA taken from Neanderthal remains, show that it was incompatible with what we now know as human.

Problem with that is that I don't remember specifics, and I have to actually wonder about the validity of DNA taken from what I perceive to be fossils.

Anyone have a more specific set of facts? Thanks.

I have often wondered, on the other hand, regarding aliens, and the secrecy surrounding them, if they may not be from another planet at all, and if the origin of them may be something that is so totally "horrifying", that the powers that be don't see any good way of releasing the information. Shades of Doom I, II, and III.

sigung86.
that was just part of the History Channel's special From Apes to Man.
Although they did not get into the very specifics, they were very clear that Neaderthals were a secondary Human species that developed at the same time as Homo Sapiens. And of course H.Sapiens then killed the Neaderthals off.
Legends of the Neaderthals could also be the basis for all the various "Ape Man" legends around the world such as Yeti, Big Foot, Red Ape man from China and the Stink Ape in the swamps of America.
Check out the listings for History Channel for the next showing of From Apes to Man. It was a very good show, Very informative.

A better sounding theory would be that aliens are actually what supplied the "Missing Link", Cross-breeding their DNA with neanderthols to create modern man as a sort of "labouror race", as many people such as Zecharia Sitchen have stated. I don't believe this either, but it fits fairly well with the facts we currently have.

Originally posted by Yarcofin
A better sounding theory would be that aliens are actually what supplied the "Missing Link", Cross-breeding their DNA with neanderthols to create modern man as a sort of "labouror race", as many people such as Zecharia Sitchen have stated. I don't believe this either, but it fits fairly well with the facts we currently have.

Not really.

The Neanderthals aren't our ancestors. In fact, they lived at about the same time Homo Sapiens did.

Neanderthals were wiped out by us. Being the superior race we over ate and over populated at a rate faster then the Neanderthals could. Plus the agressive killer instinct of "humans" made them a wicked foe and extremely hostile towards their "competitors". This is were man gets its killer instinct and almost disregard for life.

Homo Sapien is the "alien" everyone is looking for. Its right here before your eyes.

(particularly ignorant racial slur edited out)

[edit on 16-8-2005 by Byrd]

It is perfectly possible that neanderthals were more intelligent and still lose the evolutionary race. We could have survived and killed them simply by being more violent. Evolution is not about greater intellect or complexity: it is about surviving.