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Humans, Dogs, and the Extinction of the Neanderthals; Composing Music for Cats

Robert Dewar
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Creative Commons

Neanderthals have long been recognized as humans’ closest relatives. They were highly intelligent, skilled hunters, with a rugged build, and a knack for toolmaking.

So why is it that we thrived while the Neanderthals died off over 40,000 years ago?

The exact cause of Neanderthal extinction has puzzled researchers for many years. But one anthropologist is now proposing a compelling explanation, which might be the answer we’ve all been waiting for.

This hour, Pat Shipman joins us to share her theory on how humans and their wolf-dogs contributed to the Neanderthals’ demise. And later, WNPR’s Patrick Skahill tells us how some scientists are looking into the musical preferences of cats.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

GUESTS:

John Dankosky and Chion Wolf contributed to this show. 

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