Human leucocyte antigen (mauve) is expressed on the outside of white blood cells
Posted on 08/26/2011 10:40:58 AM PDT by decimon
Sexual relations between ancient humans and their evolutionary cousins are critical for our modern immune systems, researchers report in Science journal.
Mating with Neanderthals and another ancient group called Denisovans introduced genes that help us cope with viruses to this day, they conclude.
Previous research had indicated that prehistoric interbreeding led to up to 4% of the modern human genome.
The new work identifies stretches of DNA derived from our distant relatives.
In the human immune system, the HLA (human leucocyte antigen) family of genes plays an important role in defending against foreign invaders such as viruses.
The authors say that the origins of some HLA class 1 genes are proof that our ancient relatives interbred with Neanderthals and Denisovans for a period.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Dating ping.
I think I updated my immune system when I was in the Navy.
Somehow, I am thinking that, if Neantherdals really lookedlike how we think they looked like, considering how physically strong they were, there probably wasn’t much choice in the matter on the part of modern man.
Just guessing us wanting to have sex with them probably wasn’t on our bucket list.
I really wonder what legends, tales, symbolism, remnant memories etc. came from the brief time (comparatively speaking) when our homo sapiens sapiens ancestors came in contact with the Neanderthals.
It has always intrigued me.
What must they have looked like to our ancestors? did they appear uncommonly stupid, or cunning, or like giants or what?
guess I’ll never know.
The average Neatherdal was about 5’5, so they weren’t giants by no means, but their bone structure and density shows that the were incredibly strong.
I’ve read estimates that they were upwards of 30 percent stronger than our decathletes, which puts them being able to bench 350 lbs to 450 lbs.
But the reason why we could outcompete the brutes was that our caloric needs were much less, which allowed us to gather resources more quickly, have more kids, etc.
“Man, I wish I’d thought of that line back when I was playing.”
This sounds like some PC BS to me. If this is true, then why aren’t Black Africans being wiped out by viruses?
This is just another bit of propaganda calculated to convince us that White countries and only White countries being invaded by the third world is a good thing for humanity.
I think that the evidence that only the very early modern humans mated with them says something about this. Once there were lots of other modern humans to mate with the genetic exchange seems to of diminished then stopped. I think that would point to them being unattractive perhaps even troll like, if even the long hunters were not shacking up with them. Lone males generally will have sex with about anything and anybody.
Hey, I’m all for a little “Neanderthal sex”.
I personally doubt the narrative that Neantherdals were of a different species. If they were, it’s unlikely that genetic material could be exchanged.
With proper clothes and presentation, they probably weren’t that inattractive for the time they lived in.
Don’t forget the Nephilim.
Didn't they play at Woodstock in 1969?
I don’t believe angels and man can mate. When I read that passage or the one in Jonah, talking about sons of God, I think he’s talking about believers. Sons of men are unbelievers and when believers and non-believers have kids, the kids don’t know what to believe.
Just like today when Christians marry non-Christians.
I just don’t get why we make a distinction between “modern” humans and Neanderthals. If two creatures can mate and have fertile offspring they are of the same species.
You obviously have never been in a redneck bar at closing time. An adolescent Neanderthal girl was probably acceptably cute to the Cro-Magnon crowd.
As far as their being stronger than us, it probably wouldn't matter if the Cro-Mags could toss a spear or shoot an arrow more accurately.
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