track changes in evidence leading to changes in the scientific theories about the evolutionary relationship between Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens over the course of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries

For this assignment, you will write an essay that uses Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolutions to investigate how scientific theories about Neanderthals changed from (1) thinking about Neanderthals as a distinct species from Homo Sapiens to (2) treating Neanderthals as links between earlier and later hominids represented on the phylogenic tree to (3) considering Neanderthals as interspecies relatives that co-existed with Homo Sapiens.

For the essay itself, you will use articles available on CANVAS, under the Course Reserves tab, to track changes in evidence leading to changes in the scientific theories about the evolutionary relationship between Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens over the course of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Start by comparing and contrasting articles by Marianne Sommer (“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall”) and Julia Drell (“Neanderthals: A history of interpretation”). Pay special attention to, first, new fossil finds and other evidence that supported new theories about the evolutionary relationship between Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens and, second, the special relationship between science, journalism and illustration in gaining support for the new theories. Then, using the article by Kelley Harris and Rasmus Nielsen (“Where did the Neanderthals go?”), explain how DNA evidence was used in the late-twentieth and early twenty-first centuries to move the science involved from paradigm crisis to scientific revolution. Finally, draw conclusions about why Neanderthals have been regarded as “non-human” and “human” or over time. All references to articles should be cited in the essay and the articles listed in a “References” Section. No additional references should be necessary.