Cross-Species Hybridization and Human Racial Variation - ROBERT SEPEHR

Ever wonder why some dogs are so intelligent that they can herd sheep, rescue people from avalanches, or sniff out drugs for police, but some can't even seem to master "sit" and "stay"? While there are many ways to define intelligence, your dog's problem-solving abilities are perhaps one of the best ways to determine how mentally adept they really are. 

The finding is based on a language development test, revealing average dogs can learn 165 words (similar to a 2-year-old child), including signals and gestures, and dogs in the top 20 percent in intelligence, can learn 250 words.

So which dogs are the smartest? According to data collected from more than 200 dogs, Border collies, poodles, and German shepherds, Golden retrievers, and Dobermans, in that order. Compared with other dogs, these breeds may be smarter, in part, because we've bred them to be so.

In saliva, scientists have found hints that a “ghost” species of archaic human may have contributed genetic material to ancestors of people living in Sub-Saharan Africa today. The research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that interracial cross-species interbreeding between different archaic human species may not have been unusual. 

Robert Sepehr is an author, producer and independent anthropologist specializing in linguistics, archeology, and paleobiology (archeogenetics). Thank you for the support! 

DNA Results of Ancient Native American Mummies - ROBERT SEPEHR

The Windover Archeological Site is an Early Archaic (6000 to 5000 BC) archaeological site where skeletal remains of 168 individuals were found buried in the peat at the bottom of the pond. The skeletons were well preserved because of the characteristics of peat. In addition, remarkably well-preserved brain tissue has been recovered from many skulls from the site. DNA from the brain tissue has been sequenced. The collection of human skeletal remains and artifacts recovered from Windover Pond represent among the largest finds of each type from the Archaic Period.

Archaeologists at this site were able to recover a total of 86 pieces of fabric from 37 graves. These included seven different textile weaves, which appeared to have been used for clothing, bags, matting, and possibly blankets and ponchos. Numerous other artifacts, such as atlatls and projectile points, were also found at Windover. The occupants of Windover hunted animals, fished, and gathered plants. They used bottle gourds for storage, which comprise the earliest evidence for vegetable container storage discovered in North America.

Robert Sepehr is an author, producer and independent anthropologist specializing in linguistics, archeology, and paleobiology (archeogenetics). Thank you for the support! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=5703352