I think I was in Grade 7 when my science teacher, Mr Steele, at Sir Matthew Begbie school in Vancouver introduced to us students the versions of humans that had been discovered before including Neanderthals.

Interestingly I thought I would never again hear “Neanderthals” mentioned again, with the possible exception when my family talk about my taste in music. I’m not Neanderthal! The truth is, I like 1960 & 70’s music, and uncouth beasts they have forgotten that Neanderthals are way older than me, they would have to be aged 62 at least by now, not aged “39” (ahem) like moi. Pardon my math Mr Steele!

Ahem, I digress obviously.

Now you might be surprised to learn nearly all of us homo sapiens still carry the Neanderthal genome, , some of us up to 5%, and I suspect a few more than that.  See here

Potentially this could be something I can use, an excuse possibly to slouch? or order extra meat on my pizza? Walk around barefoot and wear a leopard loin cloth?

Just thinking about this makes me want to beat my chest, howl at the moon and grow my hair long and wear coveralls again.

This Neanderthal genome could come in handy! 

Thanks for reading! Comments always welcome.