quote:
yes some evidence that it happened on some occasions, but then the DNA evidence is that there was not a notable degree of sharing going on - DNA as different nearly as chimp from homosap - so interbreeding was not common. this would make the occasional hybrid no different than occasional hybrids between other closely related species.
That's the best description of the evidence so far. A Pre-mating reproductive barrier seems to be the mechanism in effect.
In response to the whole, it has been a common interpretation that the neanderthal morphology was an adaption to colder climates. A squater, thicker body has a lower surface area to volume ratio which would reduce heat loss to the environment. A barrel chested, no waisted morphology would also fit into this scenario but would seem to limit locomotion. Perhaps this could have made neanderthals more of an ambush hunter, or they could have even used a modified version of "bufallo jumps".