[exDemMom]

I am curious as to how the hair and coloring for the Neanderthal model was derived. Was there a well-preserved specimen to work from? Are Neanderthals considered a separate species or a subspecies to homo sapiens (or homo erectus)?

[SunkenCiv]

I don't believe there is any sample of Neandertal hair, just their genes for hair color. DNA is a match -- 23 chromosome pairs. If you get your DNA done by 23andMe or Ancestry.com, etc, you have the option of checking (after you get your results) for archaic DNA.

There is some debate as to whether they were a distinct species of the Homo genus (Homo neanderthalensis) or a subspecies of Homo sapiens. *

[tbw2]

They identified one Neandertal as having a mutation that would cause red hair, and it isn’t the one you find in humans.

[null and void]

I am curious as to how the hair and coloring for the Neanderthal model was derived.

If the genes that control hair, eye and skin color are preserved in the DNA sample they use those colors.

Otherwise they make their best guess based on other data, imagination, or just plain prejudice.

[Moonman62]

I am curious as to how the hair and coloring for the Neanderthal model was derived. Was there a well-preserved specimen to work from?

...

Law enforcement has captured suspects based on sketches done from nothing but DNA.

[blam]

"I am curious as to how the hair and coloring for the Neanderthal model was derived. Was there a well-preserved specimen to work from? Are Neanderthals considered a separate species or a subspecies to homo sapiens (or homo erectus)?"

DNA Reveals Neanderthal Redheads

There were thought to be seven extinct humans (includes Neanderthals) until the last couple years when an eighth, the Denisovans were discovered in Siberia.