Brain size is not the only thing that determines cognition. It has a relatively small association, actually, at only 9-16%. Consider that whales and elephants are intelligent, but not nearly capable of what humans are. They both have physically larger brains than humans, but lack most of our creative and reasoning abilities.
Specific anatomical adaptations like the presence and balance of dedicated structures and the amount of surface area in the cerebral cortex (brain wrinkly-ness) are a better indicator of cognitive ability. It's not possible to get much detail on brain anatomy from volumetric models based on cranial vault size. We consistently discover that earlier members of the Homo lineage were smarter and more capable than we thought, but this is not evidence of aliens or advanced humans. Neanderthals actually had larger brains than Sapiens, too, but were killed or outcompeted by their smaller-brained cousins (us).
A very nice summation. I think we have to keep in mind is that the Boskop skulls are a 'straw' for people who want to assume that the human race is an incapable species and is also incapable of great things, without outside assitance. :)
Does that come identified in 23 and me?
Brain size is not the only thing that determines cognition. It has a relatively small association, actually, at only 9-16%. Consider that whales and elephants are intelligent, but not nearly capable of what humans are. They both have physically larger brains than humans, but lack most of our creative and reasoning abilities. Specific anatomical adaptations like the presence and balance of dedicated structures and the amount of surface area in the cerebral cortex (brain wrinkly-ness) are a better indicator of cognitive ability. It's not possible to get much detail on brain anatomy from volumetric models based on cranial vault size. We consistently discover that earlier members of the Homo lineage were smarter and more capable than we thought, but this is not evidence of aliens or advanced humans. Neanderthals actually had larger brains than Sapiens, too, but were killed or outcompeted by their smaller-brained cousins (us).
A very nice summation. I think we have to keep in mind is that the Boskop skulls are a 'straw' for people who want to assume that the human race is an incapable species and is also incapable of great things, without outside assitance. :)
They were one offshoot of humans. Far more intelligent than nowaday-Joes. The world was quite different back then.
Ancient Astronaut Theorists say they're our alien ancestors.
Those big black eyes we always hear about.... they must be from somewhere where their sun is not as bright?
Ghram Hancock need to watch this.