Why do Neanderthals have short legs?

There are many perspectives that have long held that the short legs of Neanderthals were the result of a change to adapt to the cold climate at that time.

>>>It's hard to have a "story" between Neanderthals and modern people

Recently, however, scientists at Johns Hopkins University claim that the length of the Neanderthal legs is shorter than that of modern humans, allowing them to move easily and effectively on steep hillsides in them. live.

A Neanderthal family.

'Previously, studies of the length of genera often concluded that for species with shorter genera (Neandertals as an example), movement and movement will be less effective, because they must take more steps. But those studies are only conducted in flat areas , "said Ryan Higgins, the head of the science team.

'The results from the research we have done show that the Neandertals' mobility in steep mountain conditions is not inferior to those of modern people,' he added.

The Neanderthals are a species in the extinct genus, living around 40,000 to 200,000 years ago in Europe and West Asia. They have low stature with short legs. At this time, the ambient temperature was always very low.

Because mammal bodies in cold places tend to be compact, scientists quickly come to the conclusion that environmental temperature is the main reason their limbs are short. with modern people - groups of people residing in warmer areas.

However, in fact, by using a mathematical model involving foot size with tilt when moving on hilly terrain, Higgins noticed that under such conditions, short legs would have an advantage. rather than long legs of modern people.

Besides, this finding also helps explain the stature characteristics of many different animals.

The study was published in the American Journal of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.