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> How is it possible to indentify a new species... I'd love that ELI5. If it's just morphology and traits, given the amazing variety of people alive today, I

> How is it possible to indentify a new species... I'd love that ELI5. If it's just morphology and traits, given the amazing variety of people alive today, I wonder how many different species future archaeologists would identify. I've seen the array of skulls at the natural history museum. Clear progression, sure. But when does one thing become another thing. I know, I know, dividing lines are arbitrary. But I'd still like the ELI5 for how a professional knows homo sapiens vs neanderthal. Maybe a visual diff tool.

buran77 5y ago
Some scientists also like to generate buzz because that's sometimes the only way to get financing. But having this apparently unique piece of evidence and calling it "one of the last survivors" of the new species (as opposed to one of the first, or squarely in the middle) gives away that for now it's just a flashy assumption.
- jeffrwells 5y ago
  Not to mention that the word "survivor" is completely meaningless for this dead ancient humanoid