posted on Feb, 29 2004 @ 03:05 PM
This is a paper I wrote on racial fetures and evolution:
Although there are many there are many theories for evolution I strongly believe in the out of Africa theory of evolution. This theory concludes that
human�s ancestors evolved in Africa evolving into Homo sapiens and left Africa. First, Neanderthals descended from homo heidebergenis, who evolved
about 300,000 years ago and inhabited Europe. They eventually went extinct about 30,000 years ago due to low birth rates and high mortality rates as
well as the inability to adapt to the warming environment, and maybe a competition for food resources with Homo sapiens. Creationists argue that
Neanderthals were totally humans but suffered from bone disease called rickets which is caused by undernourishment. The long bones of Neanderthals,
like those of rickets victims, are often more curved than normal, but rickets causes a sideways curvature of the femur, while Neanderthals femurs
curve backwards. This proves that Homo sapien Neanderthal did leave Africa and adapt to the surrounding environments. Neanderthal extreme racial
features and slightly smaller brain doomed it in a changing environment. AS humans spread across the earth they developed racial features. Some
features were a result of random mutations which proved to be a benefit to the person and therefore carried on to their offspring. Red hair was a
random mutation with no perceived benefit or detriment. Colder climates would dictate that the populations be adapted to conserve heat. Less circular
nostrils would help to warm the incoming air. Other facial features can be considered adaptations the environment. In the cold regions, flat padded
faces, flattish noses, and the extra fold of skin over the eye lids could possibly help protect the face from the harsh environment. Large circular
nostrils have the least amount of surface area and would warm and moisten the air less. A possible advantage in hot, dry climates where the people
face the problem of water loss. Large nostrils could also help to dissipate extra heat in an individual located in a warmer climate. Skin is also an
important racial feature. Darker skin provides protection from UV rays providing a defense against skin cancer. As glaciers retreated areas of
moderate climate opened up people moved into those areas with dark skin adapted to have a lighter skin which catch vitamin D. White skin is less prone
to frostbite. This was proved during the Korean war where black soldiers has three times more frostbite then white soldiers even though they wore the
same clothes. Because we are all Homo sapien sapein racial features prove humans evolved from Homo erectus and left Africa adapting to the environment
as they spread. Specation has not occurred because of an increase in interracial marriages, but may have occurred with Neanderthal.