Reflections on Humanity: A Tribute to Our Ancestors
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Chapter 1: The Echoes of Existence
I, a contemporary human, envision another, ancient being—my Neanderthal ancestors.
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
He Envisions…
The very cells that form my being
hold memories of you.
The essence that animates me
whispers your name,
Radiant Stranger,
I am ignited by your presence.
She Communicates…
Oh, tender Childling man, (though you may not see yourselves as such, you are—fragile, slender, without the protective hair, and so vulnerable to the chill)
Do not dwell on the valley that bears our name, nor the resting places from which you unearth our remains. You gather our bones, weaving tales that echo through time—how delightful it is to hear them unfold.
You honor our lineage by intertwining it with yours. Do not mistake our absence for weakness, for we walked this earth for 250,000 more years than you, who have only begun your journey.
Find solace in your era, as we do in ours. Until we gather by the fire once more—journey through the light, my dear Childling friend.
Fun Facts:
We share 99.5% of our DNA with Neanderthals, and certain individuals (primarily from Asia and Europe) still possess traces of Neanderthal DNA. They cared for the ill, performed burial rites, expressed themselves through art, hunted, and formed family units. Notably, they thrived for 250,000 years longer than modern humans have existed.
For ScienceDuuude, who inspired me to compose this poem for Neanderthals, lamenting that they are often depicted merely as brutish figures, mindlessly engaging with mammoths and each other.
In response to his narrative:
Inheriting COVID Risks from Neanderthals
A recent genetic study reveals that individuals at heightened risk for COVID-19 carry a small segment of DNA inherited from Neanderthals.
Chapter 2: A Deeper Understanding of Our Origins
The first video, "Emergence of Anatomically Modern Humans," delves into the evolution of our species, tracing the journey of modern humans from our early ancestors.
The second video, "Rewriting Modern Human Origins | Shara Bailey," examines the latest discoveries about human ancestry, challenging conventional narratives and highlighting the complexities of our genetic heritage.