DNA analysis conducted on Neanderthal remains suggests that they were pale-skinned, possibly red-haired, and quite capable of fluent speech.
BBC Report here.
Hmmm..., lessee, what modern population is known for pale, pasty skin, red hair, and a gift of gab?
Mind you, I'm not saying that the Irish are Neanderthaloid..., of course not. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)
But.... Ya gotta go where the scientific evidence leads.
Right?
After all, "Science is Facts!"
Actually, it is likely that the genetic marker for red hair evolved separately in Neanderthal and modern human populations, which is interesting because it suggests a strong selective pressure for red hair associated with northern Europe. John Hawks has a technical discussion of the evidence here.
