Why Neanderthal Short Legs

Most studies conclude that the cold climate is the cause of the shorter leg, which became characteristic of Neanderthals. But researchers at Johns Hopkins found that the length of lower leg is shorter than a modern human foot to make them move more efficiently in the mountains where they live.

This finding might explain the proportion of different types of animal feet.

"Studies that study the long legs always conclude that the limb is shorter, including the Neanderthals, resulting movement is less efficient because they have to step more," said Ryan Higgins, study researchers from the Johns Hopkins Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution at Baltimore, USA States. "But other studies that take into account only flat land. Our study shows that Neanderthals did not step less efficient than modern humans in the environment of mountains and steep slopes where they live."

Comparisons of the skeletons of the two hominids show distinct differences (Picture from: http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/)

Neanderthals. who lived 40-200 thousand years ago in Europe and western Asia, especially during periods of very cold, has a smaller stature and lower legs are shorter than modern humans. Because mammals in cold regions tend to be short and stocky, with a smaller surface area, researchers usually conclude that the temperature region that is what makes their legs are shorter than modern humans, who live in hot environments.

By using a mathematical model that links the proportion of the foot with a slope angle of the hill, Higgins team calculated that Neanderthals moved more easily on the slopes. "Their short legs make Neanderthals more adept at walking in the mountains," said Higgins. *** [SCIENCEDAILY | KORAN TEMPO 3688]