> The Neanderthal were plagued by > osteoarthritis, and they were probably as paleo as we are likely > to get.">> Neanderthals exhibited many kinds of injuries associated with rodeo performers including fractures and joint injuries. Because they had no dogs, they had to hold their prey at bay using heavy spears and stone clubs. They also had heavier muscles than do most modern Humans. Their resulting higher resting metabolic rate made it more difficult for them to store fat as many modern humans do. When Neanderthals became Modern Man and wolves became dogs, both species became more gracile (NeanderThin). Dogs no longer had to be capable of making the kill and Man no longer had to hold the game at bay. Lighter, long-range weapons were now useful in hunting for the first time resulting in far fewer injuries. A less muscular man could also store fat much more quickly than a Neanderthal - an important consideration as the megafauna game migrated northward during warming spells which would destress Neanderthal populations. Ray Audette Author "NeanderThin" http://www.neanderthin.com